Italy seeks first place, Gattuso publishes the list

2025-11-07 15:14:00, Sport CNA

The Italian national team is preparing for the last two matches in the qualifying group for the World Cup. The team led by coach Gennaro Gattuso will first face Moldova on the road, on Thursday 13 November, and then will close the qualifying cycle on Sunday 16 November in Milan, against Norway. These two challenges are important not only for maintaining the positive rhythm, but also for the possibility of Italy reaching first place in the group.

After a difficult start, with a loss in Oslo to Norway, the Blues have responded with five consecutive victories, securing their participation in the World Cup play-offs with two games to spare.

Italy currently sit behind Norway, who have a much higher goal difference: +26 to Gattuso's team's +10. To overtake their Nordic rivals, Italy must not only win both of their matches, but also hope for a stoppage of Norway in their November 13 match against Estonia.

Coach Gattuso has announced the squad for the pre-season training camp that begins on November 10 at the Coverciano training center. The list includes 27 players, with some important new faces and returns. Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile receives his first call-up to the senior national team, while Alessandro Buongiorno and Samuele Ricci return after months of absence, from March and June of this year respectively. Another return is that of Gianluca Scamacca, who was part of the September training camp but was forced to withdraw due to a physical problem.

Gattuso's list also includes a number of disciplinary absences. Midfielder Nicolo Barella will miss the first match against Moldova, having been suspended due to bookings.

FULL LIST:

Goalkeepers : Elia Caprile (Cagliari), Marco Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Gianluigi Donnarumma (Manchester City), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham);

Defenders : Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Atalanta), Alessandro Buongiorno (Napoli), Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Matteo Gabbia (Milan), Gianluca Mancini (Roma);

Midfielders : Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Samuele Ricci (Milan), Sandro Tonali (Newcastle);

Forwards : Francesco Pio Esposito (Inter), Moise Kean (Fiorentina), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Matteo Politano (Napoli), Giacomo Raspadori (Atletico Madrid), Mateo Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio).