Esposito and Tonali: Humility Leads Italy Toward a Brighter Chapter

Match snapshot

Francesco Pio Esposito, the Inter striker, celebrated his first goal for the national team as Italy edged Estonia 3-1 in a World Cup qualifier, underscoring a growing balance under coach Gennaro Gattuso.

Italy started quickly in Estonia, with Moise Kean opening the scoring within five minutes, only to have to come off soon after due to an ankle twist. The early breakthrough set the tone as the Azzurri pressed for more, though Kean’s withdrawal briefly disrupted their rhythm.

Matteo Ritighi produced a mixed showing: he missed a penalty but then struck with a finish assisted by Riccardo Orsolini, while Esposito marked his Italy debut goal. The move highlighted a budding partnership between the young striker and Ritighi.

Defensively, Gianluigi Donnarumma’s hiccup allowed Rauno Sappinen to pull one back for Estonia, spoiling the clean sheet momentarily and reminding Italy that focus must remain intact until the final whistle.

“Very emotional,” Esposito said on Sky Sport Italia, thanking the squad and the coach for their warm reception and the harmony that made his goal possible. He added that the success belongs to his teammates, whose support created the right conditions for him to shine.

Speaking about his partnership with Ritighi, Esposito stressed the importance of laying aside ego in a two-forward system: “Two forwards must cooperate; the aim is victory, not who scores.” He noted how these weeks have felt meaningful, especially at twenty years of age, as he added a first league goal to the national-team strike record.

Ritighi’s teammate, Riccardo Orsolini, acknowledged that Italy’s attack hadn’t operated in a perfectly balanced way and that new roles were required by the coach to keep pushing forward and remain aggressive.

Sandro Tonali, who shone for Newcastle United, said the team is growing more confident and must trust themselves more after the win. He praised their control and determination to press from the start, even when Estonia pushed late in the game.

Tonali also praised Esposito’s debut goal and the reception from senior players in the squad, noting that talent must be coupled with humility and teamwork. He insisted Italy are not perfect, but the improvement is real and the path ahead is encouraging.

Orsolini reflected on his new role and how the coach’s tactics demanded a flexible, aggressive approach. He added that the team will study the last stretch of play to ensure they can maintain momentum in the next fixtures.

In closing, the Azzurri reiterated that the focus remains on the road ahead, emphasizing that remembering past steps helps inform a stronger present. The squad stressed unity, trust, and the belief that Italy can keep evolving toward the 2026 World Cup journey.

Punchlines to brighten the post-match mood: 1) If ego could score goals, Italy would already be preparing for a parade of self-congratulatory trophies. 2) Donnarumma’s save rate might need its own magnifying glass, but tonight the team’s defense finally looked a bit less like a comedy of errors and more like a well-rehearsed show.