Italy set to try 4-4-2 for important Estonia trip

All indicators have shown that Italy may try a 4-4-2 against Estonia, as Leonardo Spinazzola and Giacomo Raspadori are trying to be in the starting line-up.

Although a three-man defence was suggested, Italy is expected to adopt the new formation for the match scheduled for the Le Coq Arena in Tallinn on Saturday at 18:45 GMT.

Azzurri ran riot against Estonia in the first leg, with a 5-0 win last month in Bergamo.

Genarro Gatusso could make a squad rotation ahead of next Tuesday’s match against Israel, as he is likely to start with a slightly weaker side this weekend.

Gattuso hinted that he could “set ego aside” to use a three-man defence, but that is susceptible to change, which seems to be the case for this next match.

Latest reports from the Coverciano training ground say the former AC Milan midfielder is inclined to maintain the 4-4-2 formation, which can become a 4-2-3-1 based on the characteristics of the wide players.

However, this could be affected due to the absence of Matteo Politano and Mattia Zaccagni, who pulled out of the games due to injury.

Defensive responsibilities now lie with Andrea Cambiaso and Leonardo Spinazzola, who can drop back to become additional full-backs.

Gatusso could proffer A more audacious solution, which could be Atletico Madrid forward Raspadori, who has been playing wide left for the La Liga giants this season. Other options include Bologna’s Riccardo Orsolini or Nicolò Cambiaghi.

In a related development, Gianluigi Donnarumma said the Italy squad wants to ‘write new pages in the history books’.

He stated that when the Azzurri delegation visited the Nuovo Museo del Calcio exhibit in the Coverciano training camp on Wednesday evening, ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

The Man City goalie and Gattuso were accompanied by FIGC President Gabriele Gravina at the presentation of the new space.

The former PSG goalkeeper said the Azzurri must give their all to write new pages in the history books.

“We hope to write many of them along with the coach. This is what I hope.

“This is a fantastic museum; it gives me goosebumps.”