Italian football legends Antonio Di Natale and Alberico Evani have expressed their belief that head coach Gennaro Gattuso should include Francesco Pio Esposito in the starting lineup for the World Cup play-off match against Bosnia.
This crucial match will take place at the Bilino Polje Stadium in Zenica on Tuesday, March 31, kicking off at 19:45 UK time.
Pio Esposito Pushing for Italy Start
Changes are expected from the squad that defeated Northern Ireland 2-0 in the semi-final. A key alteration might see Esposito preferred over Mateo Retegui.
“I would always put Pio Esposito in the starting XI,” stated former Udinese and Italy striker Di Natale to reporters in Rome.
He also added: “The most important thing is for Italy to return to the World Cup.”
The 20-year-old has shone brightly for Inter’s senior team this season, scoring nine goals and providing six assists in 40 official matches.
His record for the Italian national team is equally impressive: three goals in six senior caps, after being a pivotal player for the U21 national team.
“His potential is evident, and despite his young age, he regularly plays for an important club like Inter without succumbing to pressure,” noted Evani.
In his opinion, Esposito “has the potential to become a top-level player.”
Italy has previously faltered in World Cup play-offs in 2018 and 2022, prompting Evani to highlight the main challenge facing coach Gattuso.
“The primary adversary is time, simply because there isn’t any. Players arrived at the camp on Sunday after club duties, had no full training on Monday, and then had to play on Thursday.”
“In such a short period, all you can do is select players best suited to your tactical ideas, but it’s not easy to combine results with entertaining football. In these situations, talent makes all the difference.”