JAKARTA – The rotation of the Italian goalkeeper during the away match against Moldova in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers. Coach Gennaro Gattuso prepared goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario in the Group I match at the Zimbru Stadium, Chisinau, Friday, November 14, 2025 in the morning WIB. This means that the main goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will sit on the bench.
Gattuso felt the need to rotate goalkeepers as Vicario showed his best performance with Tottenham Hotspur. Donnarumma actually remained consistent after leaving Paris Saint-German and then followed Vicario by playing in the English Premier League.
He, in fact, immediately became the main goalkeeper at Manchester City after the departure of Ederson and England’s young goalkeeper James Trafford was finally brought in just to sit on the bench.
Vicario had the opportunity in the match because Donnarumma was fully focused on facing the decisive match against Norway. Italy not only hunted for victory against Moldova but also at home to Norway at the San Siro Stadium, Monday, November 17, 2025 in the morning WIB.
Currently, Italy is still stuck in second place in Group I with points 15. They are three points behind Norway sweeping six qualifying matches. Not only that, Norway also far ahead of goal difference with Gli Azzurri.
This is what makes Italy have to go all out to beat Moldova while hoping Norway slips and loses points against Estonia.
It’s just that hope is most likely not achieved because Erling Haaland et al are on fire. They hope to appear in the best football tournament because they have never qualified since the 1998 World Cup.
If Italy wins the last two matches, they will still finish second place so they have to play a playoffs. But Gattuso made sure he wanted to focus on the match against Moldova.
Even though he has lost five times and only played a draw once, Gattuso still does not underestimate Moldova, which is at the bottom.
“There are no easy matches, both before and we will face. We have to respect the opponent. Otherwise, we can actually experience difficulties,” Gattuso was quoted as saying on the UEFA page.
“We did beat them [won 2-0 in the first match], but we still need commitment and respect to the opponent so we can bring home the three points,” Gattuso was quoted as saying on the UEFA website.
“I press again firmly, Moldova can make it difficult for us. And, we will work hard to deal with it,” he said again.
In that match, Gattuso not only rotated the players but also changed the playing scheme to 4-4-2. Not only was Vicario the first choice, Gattuso also gave Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori the opportunity to enter the starting line up with the absence of Moise Kean.
In addition, Nicolo Barella was banned from playing and Federico Chiesa refused the national team’s call for not being fit.
With the 4-4-2 scheme, Gattuso relied on Sandro Tonali and Bryan Cristante. Meanwhile, Riccardo Orsolini and Mattia Zaccagni played wide because they were on the right and left sides.
“Whatever the scheme, we want to show the best performance and we are ready. Of course we want to win because this is very important,” said Cristante.
“It’s just not easy. Matches in Europe always have a lot of danger, especially when teams play at home. They just want to make impressive supporters so they will fight in the game,” said the AS Roma midfielder.
Estimated line-up:
Moldova (4-4-1-1):Avram; Forov, Cracion, Baboglo, Platica; Reabciuk, Caimacov, Rata, Bogacicic; Postolachi; Nicolaescu.
Italy (4-4-2): Vicario; Bellanova, Mancini, Burongiorno, Cambiaso; Orsolini, Tonali, Cristante, Zaccagni; Scamacca, Raspadori
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