FIFA World Cup qualifications: Gattuso praises the comeback of Italy against Israel but delivered by vulnerability

Italian manager Gennaro Gattuso praised fighting spirit after it came out at the top in a crazy world cup qualification of nine goals against Israel on Monday, but admitted that there is a vulnerability for his team.

Israel continued twice before Italy seemed to seal the victory in achieving a lead of two goals, but a dramatic finish needed an extra time goal to get a 5-4 victory and give hope for qualifying after missing the last two world cups.

Gattuso made a winning start of his reign after replacing Luciano Spalletti, after a 5-0 victory over Estonia on Friday with a different victory three days later, but it was a completely different performance in Hungary against Israel.

«We are crazy – we have admitted some absurd goals, but we will hold this victory,» Gattuso told the Italian broadcaster Rai.

«Our opponents surprised us a bit, they marked man-to-man. Today our legs were not at their best, but that is normal, it is always so in the second game, although we have to improve.»

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Italy gave in to its own goals twice and was lucky to escape after another keeper Gianluigi Donnarumma had demanded the ball in his own net, but was relieved when it was rejected for an error on him, and sometimes they looked very shaky at the back.

«We are too vulnerable, we give goals away too easily. The boys know it, but the problem is mine, not theirs,» said Gattuso.

«To play as unit, we must improve in certain areas. My employees and I have to improve as quickly as possible, I don’t criticize my players.»

Italy came twice from behind thanks to the Double of Moise Kean, and although it almost made the victory glide off its grip, there was at least a different mind than the team than in the 3-0 loss to Norway that Spalletti cost his work.

«Credit to the team, because we had the power to respond to every stroke we have taken, but we cannot allow easy goals as we did today,» said Gattuso.

“Although it wasn’t a great day, there was a desire to fight back and that is the most important thing.

«I will thank the team in the dressing room, but if we want to achieve something important, we must grow.»

Italy, second in the group on nine points ahead of Israel on target difference with a match in hand, is still three points on Norway that also played four games.

The top team in the group is eligible for the final of next year with the second placed side that the play-offs will start.

Published on September 9, 2025