After starting its qualifying campaign for next year's tournament with one loss and one win under Luciano Spalletti, Gattuso marked his first match at the helm with a 5-0 victory against Estonia, before edging out Israel 5-4 in a thrilling encounter.

It marked the first time Italy had scored five goals in consecutive matches in its history, while Gattuso became only the third coach since 2000 to win on his Italy debut, after Antonio Conte and Roberto Mancini.

Italy faces Estonia next, this time in Tallinn, and Cristante believes the team is developing well.

“The atmosphere has been electric. All the players are very motivated and the coach brings the same drive that has always set him apart,” he said.

“I think we’re working in the right way, with the right intensity and right mindset. I think it’s definitely a real chance to achieve something special.

“The team has grown. We have a few young players with plenty of European experience, and they have already played in several important matches, so a few more years of experience always helps.

“There’s a different kind of experience, a greater sense of awareness now, and when we play in crucial, decisive matches, that always helps.”

Since being knocked out in the group stage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the 2018 and 2022 finals.

Italy is currently second in Group I, six points behind Norway but with a game in hand.

Although Cristante is excited at the prospect of qualifying for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, he insisted that Italy’s full focus is on Estonia.

“As for the [FIFA] World Cup, we want to give it our all. But for now, we are only focusing on Estonia.

“I think it is important to take things match by match, aiming to win each one. Then we will see if we finish first or if we have to play in the play-offs.

“What the coach is stressing is key, that the whole team is focused on Saturday’s [Sunday AEDT] game.”