Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso has challenged Moise Kean to raise his game, warning that the Fiorentina forward must “give something more” both for club and country. The Azzurri manager also shed light on his latest squad choices — including the surprise call-ups of Leonardo Spinazzola and Nicolò Cambiaghi — ahead of Italy’s upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Israel.
Kean, who enjoyed a prolific campaign last season, has struggled to recapture that form so far this term, managing just one goal and two assists in his first seven matches for Fiorentina. Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Gattuso insisted the 24-year-old still has a key role to play — but only if he steps up his performance levels.
“Kean scored double figures last season,” Gattuso said. “I told him that at this moment, he needs to give something more because he’s an important player. He mustn’t look for excuses — he has to be ready and become a real reference point for his teammates.”
With Matteo Politano and Mattia Zaccagni both withdrawing through injury, Gattuso was forced into late squad changes, calling up Napoli’s Leonardo Spinazzola and Fiorentina’s Roberto Piccoli as replacements.
“It’s always disappointing to lose players, but we’ve brought in others who can help us in different ways,” Gattuso explained. “Spinazzola gives us experience, pace and quality. He’s had bad luck with injuries, but he’s finding consistency again. I called him right after Politano’s injury and he accepted immediately — at 32, that eagerness and passion say a lot about his character.”
Gattuso also confirmed that Giacomo Raspadori, who has been featuring on the left wing for Atlético Madrid, could start in a similar role for Italy. “We’ve already used him there against Estonia in Bergamo,” he noted. “It’s definitely an option.”
Meanwhile, Bologna winger Nicolò Cambiaghi and Fiorentina midfielder Hans Nicolussi Caviglia have been handed opportunities to impress. “Cambiaghi reminds me a bit of Politano — he’s quick, direct, and works hard both attacking and defending,” said Gattuso. “Nicolussi can operate as a deep-lying playmaker. He has balance, vision and technical quality — the kind of player who makes the team tick.”
Italy face Estonia in Tallinn on Saturday before returning home to meet Israel in Rome next Tuesday as their 2026 World Cup qualification campaign continues.
