Antonio Di Natale and Alberico Evani back Francesco Pio Esposito to start for Italy in their crucial World Cup play-off.
Former Italy internationals Antonio Di Natale and Alberico Evani have both called on head coach Gennaro Gattuso to hand a starting role to Francesco Pio Esposito in the upcoming World Cup play-off.
Their comments come as Italy prepare for a decisive clash against Bosnia and Herzegovina national football team.
Italy are expected to make several changes from the side that defeated Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final. One of the most notable adjustments could see Esposito preferred in attack ahead of Mateo Retegui.
Di Natale openly backed the young forward, stating he would include Esposito in the starting XI without hesitation. The former striker emphasised that Italy’s priority must be securing qualification and returning to the World Cup stage.
Di Natale: “Esposito già a 3 gol in Nazionale? Sono convinto che ne segnerà tanti altri e che per i prossimi quindici anni sarà lui il futuro in azzurro.
Pio è bravo e sono felice per la stagione che sta vivendo. Al primo anno in Serie A non era facile mostrare subito queste… pic.twitter.com/xzPKCJw6ii
— Guido Olivares🇮🇹 (@Guidolino8) March 24, 2026
The 20-year-old has impressed this season with Inter Milan, contributing nine goals and six assists across 40 competitive appearances. His consistent performances at club level have strengthened calls for him to be trusted on the international stage.
Esposito’s record with Italy is also promising, having scored three goals in just six senior caps. He previously stood out for the Under-21 side, showing his ability to adapt quickly when stepping up to higher levels. Evani also praised the youngster, highlighting his composure despite his age. He noted that playing regularly for a major club like Inter demonstrates Esposito’s potential to develop into a top-level player.
However, Evani warned that time constraints pose a major challenge for Gennaro Gattuso. With limited preparation following club commitments, he believes selecting players with natural talent and tactical suitability will be key as Italy aim to avoid another play-off disappointment.
