Locatelli: ‘Gattuso is a real man who says things to your face’

Manuel Locatelli admits he had ‘problems with consistency’ in his career, but praises Gennaro Gattuso with a dig at previous Italy bosses. ‘He’s a real man who says things to your face.’

The Azzurri took a long while to break Israel down at the Stadio Friuli in Udine, finding the way through with a Mateo Retegui penalty, while Gianluigi Donnarumma had to make two big saves.

It went better after the break, as Retegui curled into the top corner, then in stoppages Gianluca Mancini nodded in from a corner for the final 3-0 result.

This means Italy are guaranteed a place in the play-offs for the 2026 World Cup, with the draw to find out who they will face on November 21, then playing in March 2026.

“We could’ve done better, but this is no time to look at the past, we need the present and the future,” Locatelli told Sky Sport Italia and RAI Sport.

“We are certainly experiencing it better now, the coach brought a lot of positive energy, he has faith in me and I feel that. I also saw the right attitude over the last few days, this group really wants to do well.”

Check the Football Italia Player Ratings for Italy 3-0 Israel