# Capello demands that Italy return to the World Cup after 12 years of absence.

- URL: https://apitofinal.pt/en/internacional-en/capello-demands-that-italy-return-to-the-world-cup-after-12-years-of-absence/
- Published: 2026-03-30T13:57:04+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-03T13:25:38+00:00
- Publisher: Apito Final (apitofinal.pt)
- Section: Internacional
- Tags: AC Milan, Fabio Capello, Francesco Pio Esposito, Juventus, Mateo Retegui

## Key points

- Capello afirma que o futuro da Itália depende da escolha do avançado que liderará o ataque no play-off contra a Bósnia e Herzegovina.
- Segundo Capello, Gattuso deverá decidir se Francesco Pio Esposito começa o jogo ou entra mais tarde.
- Capello sublinha a necessidade de entrar em campo com mentalidade livre, deixando para trás o peso de 12 anos sem Mundial.

## Article

The pressure on the Italian national football team has never been more intense, especially as the decisive playoff for the World Cup against Bosnia and Herzegovina approaches. Football legend and former coach of AC Milan and Juventus, Fabio Capello, does not hesitate to assert that the future of the Azzurra crucially depends on the choice of the forward who will lead the attack.

In exclusive statements to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Capello emphasized the importance of a squad that is not only fit but also enters the field with the right mindset. “We need to see how (coach Rino) Gattuso will prepare the team. From there, we will be able to understand whether it will be better to start Francesco Pio Esposito from the beginning or use him later in the match,” said Capello. The young Inter Milan player, Esposito, seems to have the edge over Al-Qadisiah’s forward, Mateo Retegui, who, according to Capello, has not competed for several weeks and may not have the necessary rhythm to handle the pressure of this clash.

The former coach also emphasized the importance of leaving behind the heavy burden of 12 years without a World Cup presence, a weight that can affect the players’ performance. “We must enter the field with a clear mind at all costs, forgetting the weight of those years of absence. It’s not easy, but we have to manage it. Playing freely is essential for our success,” Capello stressed, pointing to the need for a change in mentality and a fearless approach.

As the Italian national team prepares for this crucial clash, Gattuso’s player selection and strategy could determine not only the outcome of the match but also the future of the Azzurra in the global football landscape. The pressure is palpable, but hope remains alive among the fans, who are eager to see their team return to the world football stage after a long absence. With Capello leading the analysis, what follows could be a turning point in the recent history of Italian football.

This article first appeared on [Apito Final](https://apitofinal.pt/).