Overview
- The playoff semifinals and final are set for March 26 and 31, with Thursday’s draw to decide Italy’s opponent and whether a potential final is home or away.
- Coach Gennaro Gattuso is pushing a short February 48‑hour camp at Coverciano and will keep close contact with players through regional dinners and visits, supported by Gigi Buffon.
- Gattuso intends to persist with a two‑striker setup featuring Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui, while firming up the back line and leaning on Donnarumma, Calafiori, Tonali and Kean as key pillars.
- Bergamo is favored to host the home semifinal to create a compact, intense atmosphere, with Rome’s Olimpico considered if Italy also hosts the final.
- Discussions with Serie A on staging and schedule tweaks continue, with optimism from the sports minister but no suspension of a league round expected, as debate over Italy’s mental fragility and long‑term youth development gaps grows.