Pio Esposito, Gattuso made his choice ahead of Bosnia-Italy

The last day of work at Coverciano for the Azzurri, expected tomorrow night in Zenica for the final playoff against Bosnia (qualification for the 2026 World Cup at stake). The group turned out in full under the orders of coach Rino Gattuso, after the change of schedule suggested by Uefa due to the weather conditions in Bosnia: departure from Florence scheduled around 4:30 p.m. by chartered flight, after leaving the federal technical center at 3:30 p.m.

During the session (open to the media for the first 15 minutes), Gattuso had a small-sided match on a reduced field mixing up the cards. However, Kean and Retegui were deployed together, a further sign (barring unforeseen circumstances) that the two will form the attacking pair, with Pio Esposito ready to take over. As for Scamacca, he initially trained with the group and then worked separately together with a staff member.

Attending the training, as in the past few days, Figc president Gabriele Gravina and the head of the national team’s delegation Gigi Buffon were also present.

Edin Dzeko, on the eve of the World Cup play-off between Bosnia and Italy, instead spoke immediately about the issue related to Dimarco’s exultation: “It’s a very normal thing. We spoke, he told me he did not want to offend anyone and I told him there was no problem. We all have preferences. Maybe mine was not to play against Italy: I can’t cheer because I play against them.”

“Today with social media you have to be very careful: even the most normal things like this are magnified. They didn’t want to play in Wales, I don’t know why. We went there without fear and won. I don’t know why they should be afraid of Bosnia or Wales. Italy is an incredible national team, they have won four World Cups. If you are afraid to play in Wales something doesn’t work…”.