Italy approach their qualifying return with scars from their recent 5–4 thriller over Israel, a match whose drama felt more cinema than sport. With Gennaro Gattuso under pressure to steady the ship, this fixture is more than a qualifier — it’s a statement.



After the 5–4 Maelstrom & Stakes
That match was frenetic. Israel twice led. Italy clawed back. Sandro Tonali delivered a stoppage‑time strike to seal the win. But the chaos exposed defensive holes, coordination lapses, and risky transitions. Gattuso now must shore up those vulnerabilities while still preserving attacking ambition. Reuters notes that Gattuso has publicly warned his team against complacency versus Israel.

Israel, though wounded, showed fight. They believe they can replicate disruptions, especially under pressure.



Likely XI & Player Focus
According to official UEFA lineups, Italy deployed a 4‑4‑2 in that meeting: Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal; back four of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Gianluca Mancini, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco; midfield featuring Matteo Politano, Sandro Tonali, Manuel Locatelli, Nicolo Barella; and forward pair Moise Kean & Mateo Retegui.

From Israel’s side, their 4‑2‑3‑1 included Daniel Peretz (GK), defenders Eliazer Dasa, Idan Nachmias, Stav Lemkin, Roy Revivo; a double pivot of Dor Peretz and Eliel Peretz; attacking three of Dan Biton, Oscar Gloukh, and Manor Solomon.

That gives us a safe set of names to mention: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Dimarco, Tonali, Locatelli, Barella, Kean, Retegui on the Italian side; and Peretz, Dasa, Nachmias, Lemkin, Revivo, Biton, Gloukh, Solomon on Israel’s side.



Tactical Nuances & Themes

  • - Midfield resilience vs chaos: Italy must avoid being sucked into wild transitions. The Tonali–Locatelli–Barella axis must manage pace, especially when Israel press high.
  • - Wide overloads: Israel’s fullbacks (Dasa, Revivo) may push; Italy should target the spaces behind them via Di Lorenzo and Dimarco.
  • - Defensive compactness: Italy must not concede space between center and fullbacks; Bastoni and Mancini need sharper positioning.
  • - Set-piece leverage: With aerial assets like Bastoni, Mancini, Retegui, Italy should push to capitalize on corners and dead balls against Israel’s less robust defense.
  • - Psychological reset: The chaotic last game demands composure. Gattuso will stress discipline, structured build-up, and avoiding forced risks.


Head-to-Head & Context
Historically, Italy dominate Israel. That dominance gives psychological comfort — but the 5–4 match showed Israel are not pushovers on a given day.


Prediction
I expect a more controlled, less explosive match than their previous meeting. If Italy manage tempo and defend transitions better, they should win — but Israel will push. Prediction: Italy 2–1 Israel.