Italy's Calf, Calm, and Confident: Gattuso Builds a United Azzurri for World Cup Qualifiers

Injury updates ahead of Moldova clash

Nicolò Cambiaghi, a forward for the Italy national team, suffered a minor calf strain and will miss the upcoming matches against Moldova and Norway, while Riccardo Calafiori trained separately on Wednesday and is expected to be unavailable for the next game.

Italy are preparing for Thursday’s World Cup qualifier against Moldova, but head coach Gennaro Gattuso received disappointing news this morning.

According to the Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb, Cambiaghi will return to his club after his calf strain is assessed, with the attack ready to be reshuffled.

He joined the squad earlier this week as a substitute for Moise Kean, who has been dealing with injuries in recent days.

Meanwhile, Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori trained separately at Coverciano on Wednesday due to a hip problem, and he is not expected to feature tomorrow.

Recent reports indicate Calafiori will miss Moldova’s match but should push to regain fitness ahead of Sunday’s home game versus Norway.

The Azzurri travel to Moldova today, and Gattuso is set to provide further team updates at a press conference later in the evening.

Building the squad beyond the training ground

“Raising a cohesive group off the pitch is crucial as we navigate the World Cup qualifiers,” the Italy boss said, underscoring the importance of unity.

Since taking charge in June, the former midfielder has overseen four wins in as many outings, signaling a strong start to his tenure.

Italian outlets, including La Repubblica, have noted Gattuso’s push to assemble a tight-knit, positive squad, addressing gaps that appeared under his predecessor.

It’s no secret that several Azzurri stars did not see eye to eye with Spalletti when he left, and Gattuso hopes to avoid repeating past mistakes by fostering open communication and mutual support.

Italy’s World Cup qualifiers face a likely challenge from Norway atop Group 9, but recent results have kept the door ajar for a successful campaign through 2026.

Italy opened with a heavy defeat to Norway that ultimately cost Spalletti his job; since then, the team has progressed, including a 2-0 home win over Moldova in which Raspadori and Cambiaso found the net, marking a positive step forward.

Gattuso’s appointment has already yielded a strong start: the Azzurri have won four of their first four matches under his guidance, and the overall record stands at six games with five wins and one loss, scoring 18 goals while conceding eight.

Notably, Gattuso achieved a historic feat by his third match in charge, becoming the first Italian coach since 1949 to score at least three goals in each of his first three games, a record he extended to four matches with three goals or more.

Numbers, plans, and life in Coverciano

As the team looks to maintain momentum, Gattuso has acknowledged time constraints, with qualifying fixtures resuming during the March 2026 international window. The squad will regroup in Coverciano in four months, and the coach hopes to call in some players earlier for additional work on the training ground.

Despite the logistical challenges of gathering the players for on-field sessions, Gattuso has a plan to rally the squad: a February stay for a day or two to tighten cohesion, followed by continued collaboration as the calendar fills up. He stresses the need to combine hard work with a light-hearted approach to maintain morale and focus.

“We must push hard and visit players, share meals, and manage the schedule,” he explained. “The league footprint can help us, but it’s a long road; we’re in the eleventh round, yet we’ll be back in the thirtieth soon, which is a very long stretch.”

Team figures

Italy began this phase with a heavy loss to Norway that ended Spalletti’s tenure, but the resurgence continued with the Moldova result and a strong showing across the rest of the campaign.

In the Moldova fixture, Raspadori and Cambiaso starred as Italy grabbed three points, setting a positive tone for Gattuso’s era.

The federation’s leadership, under new management, appointed Gattuso — a Milan legend and former coach — to lead the national team. He began his tenure with a decisive 5-0 win over Estonia, followed by a 5-4 victory in the next match, another 3-1 win, and a heavy 3-0 success against a strong opponent.

Through four matches, Gattuso has steered the team to an unbeaten start, with five wins and a single defeat in six matches, tallying 18 goals for and eight against overall.

In his early run, he set a high bar: three or more goals in each of his first four games, a historic milestone that underscores his attacking approach and the team’s newfound balance.

What is Gattuso doing to build a stronger COVERTIANO-era Italy?

Orsolini recently spoke at a press conference via Football Italia, praising the immediate enthusiasm brought by Gattuso, remarking that the squad had felt a bit down before his arrival.

Orsolini added that the coach has given the players calm and confidence through hard work, enthusiasm, and intensive training, and that such an attitude fosters a strong mentality to chase shared dreams.

The coach knows time is limited; the qualifying matches return in March 2026, but he plans to gather players again in Coverciano soon to keep the momentum going.

Although more in-person training sessions at the Azurri’s base pose challenges, there is a willingness to adapt: a February arrangement could allow a brief camp, with the federation’s support easing some scheduling pressures. The goal is to maintain a tight-knit, effective group and push toward the World Cup finals in North America next summer.

Match numbers

The team opened with a loss that precipitated a coaching change, yet they recovered with a 2-0 win at home against Moldova, featuring Raspadori and Cambiaso’s goals, a victory that helped justify the coaching change.

Gattuso’s era began with a string of emphatic results: a 5-0 victory over Estonia, a 5-4 win in the following match, then a 3-1 win, and a dominant 3-0 performance. He has maintained a perfect start across his four games, with six matches played, five wins, one loss, and a total of 18 goals scored to eight conceded.

Historically, since joining the national team, Gattuso’s teams have demonstrated a high-scoring, possession-forward philosophy, with three or more goals in three successive matches and extending that trend beyond four games, setting a new benchmark for Italian coaching at the start of his tenure.