Gennaro Gattuso praises Italy’s comeback against Israel but worried by fragility

MILAN – Italy coach Gennaro Gattuso lauded their fighting spirit after emerging on top in a crazy nine-goal World Cup qualifier against Israel on Sept 8, but conceded there is a fragility to his team.

Israel twice went ahead before Italy took a two-goal lead, but a dramatic finish needed an added-time goal to snatch a 5-4 victory and give them hope of qualification after missing the last two World Cups.

Gattuso has made a winning start to his reign after replacing Luciano Spalletti, following up a 5-0 win over Estonia on Sept 5 with another victory three days later, but it was an altogether different performance in Hungary against Israel.

“We’re crazy – we conceded some absurd goals but we will hold on to this win,” Gattuso, whose side scored via a Moise Kean double, Matteo Politano, Giacomo Raspadori and Sandro Tonali’s late winner, told Italian broadcaster Rai.

“Our opponents surprised us a bit, they were marking man-to-man. Today our legs weren’t at their best but that’s normal, it’s always like this in the second match, though we need to improve.”

Italy twice conceded own goals and were lucky to escape another after goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma fisted the ball into his own net, but was relieved when it was disallowed for a foul on him, and at times they looked very shaky at the back.

“We’re too fragile, we give away goals too easily. The boys know it but the problem is mine, not theirs,” Gattuso added.

“To play as a unit, we need to improve in certain areas. My staff and I need to improve as soon as possible, I’m not criticising my players.”

Italy twice came from behind thanks to Kean’s brace, and although they almost let the win slip from their grasp, there was at least a different spirit to the team than in the 3-0 loss to Norway which cost Spalletti his job.

“Credit to the team, because we had the strength to react to every blow we took, but we can’t allow easy goals like we did today,” Gattuso said.

“Even though it wasn’t a great day, there was a desire to fight back and that’s the most important thing. I’ll thank the team in the locker room, but if we want to achieve something important, we have to grow.”

Italy, second in Group I on nine points, but ahead of Israel on goal difference with a game in hand, are still three points off Norway who have also played four matches.

The top team in the group qualify for the 2026 Finals, with the second-placed side going into the play-offs.

Switzerland, who beat Kosovo 4-0 last week, stay top of Group B following a dominant first-half display in Basel against Slovenia.

The home side ran out 3-0 winners after goals by Nico Elvedi, Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye inside the first 40 minutes.

Denmark won by the same margin in Greece as they moved top of Group C on four points. They sit level with Scotland, who beat Belarus 2-0 in Zalaegerszeg, Hungary.

Croatia took the lead in Group L with a 4-0 home victory over neighbouring Montenegro. Kristijan Jakic opened the scoring in Zagreb, before Montenegro were reduced to 10 men as Andrija Bulatovic saw red.

Andrej Kramaric went clear at the top of the qualification goalscoring charts with his sixth goal of the campaign on 51 minutes, before a late Edvin Kuc own-goal and an Ivan Perisic strike put gloss on the result.

The 2018 World Cup runners-up leapfrogged the Czech Republic atop the table with both countries boasting 12 points, although Croatia have a match in hand.

The Faroe Islands moved to third in the group with a 1-0 win over Gibraltar. REUTERS, AFP