Has the Italy national team found their new 'number 9'?

14/10/2025 08:43:00 esportapi

Francesco Pio Esposito is causing excitement in Italy following his first goal for the Azzurri. The 20-year-old striker has the opportunity to start in the key World Cup 2026 qualifier against Israel tonight, with supporters hoping Italy has found a genuine "number 9" for the future.

Leading Israel by 3 points and having played one fewer match, the Italy team approaches this critical fixture against their rival in Udine with a straightforward task: win to confirm second place in the group and clinch a playoff berth. If the match ends in a draw, coach Gennaro Gattuso’s squad will only need a single point from the final two games to fulfill their goal. Hence, beyond the outcome, the main focus right now is Esposito’s showing on the pitch.

The phenomenon named Pio Esposito

In just a few short months, Pio Esposito has risen rapidly, moving from playing in Serie B last season to becoming the new hope leading the attack for both Inter Milan and the national team. His goal against Estonia not only placed him among the youngest scorers in Azzurri history but also highlighted a remarkable display: mature and confident.

Italian media and experts have lavishly praised this young talent. Former coach Luciano Spalletti compared him to the legend Christian "Bobo" Vieri due to his physical strength and all-around ball control skills. Others see in him the intelligent positioning of Alessandro Altobelli or the tactical vision of Roberto Bettega. All these comparisons reflect a strong belief that Italy seemingly possesses a true "number 9" star for the future, someone who can carry the attack for many years to come.

Moise Kean’s ankle injury sustained during the win over Estonia created the perfect opportunity for coach Gattuso to give Pio his first start. This will be a real test of the composure of the 20-year-old player. "He deserves everything," Gattuso said after the Estonia match. "He has discipline, respect, and the right attitude. He thinks like a 30-year-old." Gattuso’s praise is justified. Pio’s ability to stay balanced and calm after successive achievements, as he himself stated, "I try to stay grounded and ignore the praise and criticism," shows remarkable mental strength from this striker.

Is Pio Esposito the star striker that Italian football has been waiting for all this time?

Pressure and uncertainties

However, some believe that Gattuso should not rush to include Pio Esposito in the starting lineup immediately, but rather allow him to observe and learn more before being entrusted with such responsibility. Haste makes waste. Placing too much responsibility and pressure too early on a 20-year-old just emerging carries inherent risks. Israel is clearly a tougher opponent than Estonia. A poor performance against a better-organized defense could negatively affect Pio’s confidence and mindset. Whether he will partner with Mateo Retegui from the start or if Gattuso has a different tactical plan remains uncertain.

Besides the attack, defensive solidity is another area Italy must pay close attention to. Let’s not forget that Israel scored four goals against goalkeeper Gigio Donnarumma in the first leg a month ago, although two were own goals. Donnarumma’s mistake in the Estonia match revealed that the Azzurri defense still suffers from avoidable individual errors. Furthermore, the absence of key players Alessandro Bastoni (suspended) and Alessandro Buongiorno (injured) poses a significant challenge for coach Gattuso in patching up the backline.

A victory over Israel will secure Italy’s place in the playoffs. But this match will also serve as an important test for the future. Can Pio Esposito continue to shine under the weight of expectations, and can Gattuso’s defense regain the stability needed to confidently approach the playoffs? The answer in Udine will reveal much.

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