Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso lauded his side's fighting spirit after they came out on top in a crazy nine-goal World Cup qualifier against Israel on Monday, but conceded there is a fragility to his team.

Israel twice went ahead before Italy appeared to seal the win when taking a two-goal lead, but a dramatic finish needed an added time goal to snatch a 5-4 victory and give them hope of qualification after missing the last two World Cups.

Gattuso has made a winning start to his reign after replacing Luciano Spalletti, following a 5-0 win over Estonia on Friday with another victory three days later but it was an altogether different performance in Hungary against Israel.

"We're crazy - we conceded some absurd goals but we will hold onto this win," Gattuso told Italian broadcaster Rai.

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