World Cup Qualifiers: Beating Israel is worth the Playoffs. Kean leaves the training camp, Pio Esposito is ready.

The Italy of Gattuso is ready for the decisive challenge against Israel, scheduled for tomorrow at Udine, which could guarantee the Azzurri qualification for the playoff and the certainty of the second in the group. A win would allow them to secure their goal with two games to spare, turning the subsequent November matches into useful tests for the future.

Against Israel it is decisive

Tomorrow Italy cannot afford to make any mistakes. Victory is in fact the only permissible result, the only result that would give the Azzurri the second place arithmetically, putting an end to all calculations and providing some peace of mind after months of tension. Even a draw would leave the balance unchanged. Italy would remain to +3 on the opponents, and a point in the two November matches would be enough (against Moldova and Norway) to close anyway 14 points, a figure that Israel could never reach. Everything changes, however, in the event of a defeat. With the two teams tied on 12 points, at least four points in the last two games so as not to compromise access to the playoffs.

It will likely be the most delicate match for Gattuso, who has won all three matches under his management so far, including the dramatic 5-4 victory over Israel in the first leg. It promises to be a tense match, against an opponent not to be underestimated and a goal that cannot be missed—indeed, must not be missed.

Kean out, Esposito ok

There's bad news for Gattuso on the offensive front. Moise Kean will not be in the game against Israel: the instrumental examinations carried out after the physical problem he suffered in the match against Estonia have highlighted that the Fiorentina striker has not yet recovered from sprained ankle and left the retreat.

In its place is ready Pio Esposito, who delivered a high-level performance and scored a goal in Friday's match against Estonia. The young, rapidly improving striker will therefore have another opportunity to shine and contribute in a match that could be crucial for the national team's future.