Italy’s World Cup qualifying campaign took an unexpected twist after reports emerged that head coach Gennaro Gattuso used slaps to motivate his players before their emphatic 5-0 win over Estonia.
Gattuso, who took charge of the national team in June, oversaw his first competitive victory on Friday night in Bergamo. The Azzurri, needing points after defeats to Norway earlier in the group stage, delivered a dominant performance that reignited their hopes of securing a place at the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada.
Italy’s goals came from Mateo Retegui, who struck twice, Moise Kean, Giacomo Raspadori, and Alessandro Bastoni. The result provided a much-needed morale boost, but the headlines were quickly overshadowed by shocking revelations from within the squad.
Inter defender Alessandro Bastoni admitted that Gattuso instilled determination and grit through physical methods. He stated that the coach delivered “a fair few slaps” to jolt the team into focus. Bastoni, who capped the scoring with a stoppage-time goal, suggested the unconventional tactic may have played a role in their resurgent display.
Forward Giacomo Raspadori echoed the claims, even revealing he received a slap on the back of the neck. According to him, Gattuso’s approach was aimed at awakening the squad’s fighting spirit. He stressed that Italy, despite its talent, had lacked intensity and urgency in recent performances, something the coach seemed determined to correct.
The incident has sparked debate across football circles, with some interpreting Gattuso’s actions as old-school discipline while others see them as unacceptable in the modern game. What cannot be denied is that Italy looked transformed, playing with aggression, confidence, and a cutting edge rarely seen in recent outings.
The Azzurri now turn their focus to their next qualifier against Israel on September 8. With two further fixtures in October against the same opposition, Italy will be hoping to build momentum and climb the group standings. Whether Gattuso’s fiery motivational tactics will continue to play a role remains to be seen, but his debut victory has already left the Italian camp in the spotlight for reasons far beyond the scoreline.
