After a five-nil debut win over Estonia, Rino Gattuso’s Italy reach a sharper test in Group I as they meet Israel in Debrecen on Monday, 8 September 2025; kick off 20:45. Victory would lift the Azzurri to second place on goal difference with a game in hand, tightening the chase of leaders Norway.
Italy sit third on 6 points with one match fewer than their rivals; Israel has 9 and Norway 12. A win would move Italy level with Israel and keep alive hopes of pushing for the top spot. The historical record favours Italy; unbeaten in meetings with Israel, six wins and one draw, including two Nations League victories under Luciano Spalletti by two-one and four-one.
Gattuso will make two changes from the Estonia match. Gianluca Mancini comes in for Riccardo Calafiori; Manuel Locatelli replaces Mattia Zaccagni as Italy switch emphasis in midfield. The plan remains a three-five-two out of possession, with Matteo Politano expected to step high in the attacking phase to resemble a four-three-three. Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui retain their places as a front pair after combining well in Bologna; the brief is to balance and control, while also pushing to improve the overall goal difference.
Israel’s creator Oscar Gloukh is the main reference in the final third; his movement between the lines will test the spacing of Italy’s midfield screen. Locatelli’s positioning without the ball and the timing of Politano’s advance will be central to limiting transition risk. Set plays may also tilt the match; Mancini adds aerial presence in both penalty areas.
Donnarumma; Mancini, central defender, left centre-back; Di Lorenzo and left wing-back as the wide outlets; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli across midfield, with Politano stepping on to join Kean and Retegui when Italy builds. Out of possession, Italy drop into a compact three-five-two, with the front two pressing the first pass and Politano recovering to the right side of midfield.
Italy scored freely against Estonia, with the second half showing quicker ball circulation and cleaner runs beyond the ball. Israel arrives with purpose after a solid start to the group and carries the pace in wide areas. Italy’s unbeaten record in the fixture offers comfort; the margin for error, however, is small at this stage of qualifying.
Second place at stake; three points the target; one match in hand on the teams above them. A clean sheet would be valuable; Italy have scored five and conceded none in Gattuso’s first outing.
Win, and Italy move into the play-off places with momentum; draw or lose, and the pressure builds ahead of the meetings with Norway. Gattuso has asked for maturity; Israel will provide the examination.
