Italy have a plethora of injuries ahead of today’s Confederations Cup match with Uruguay, including some late additions.
The third place play-off is in Salvador de Bahia at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
Mario Balotelli and Ignazio Abate have already left Brazil after suffering from a thigh strain and dislocated shoulder respectively.
Italy have a plethora of injuries ahead of today’s Confederations Cup match with Uruguay, including some late additions.
The third place play-off is in Salvador de Bahia at 17.00 UK time (16.00 GMT).
Mario Balotelli and Ignazio Abate have already left Brazil after suffering from a thigh strain and dislocated shoulder respectively.
Andrea Pirlo and Andrea Barzagli were confirmed as unavailable by the Azzurri medical staff on Friday evening.
Claudio Marchisio did not take part in Saturday’s training session, but Emanuele Giaccherini pulled out after only a few minutes and is therefore also not fit to play.
Coach Cesare Prandelli admitted in his Press conference that Daniele De Rossi, Alberto Gilardino and Giorgio Chiellini will need last-minute fitness tests.
The Italy players were visibly exhausted after playing 120 minutes and losing a penalty shoot-out with Spain on Thursday night.
To make matters worse, this match with Uruguay will kick off at 13.00 local time, so the heat and humidity are expected to be even more stifling.
It also remains to be seen whether Italy will stick with the three-man defence that proved so successful against Spain or return to a 4-3-1-2 or even 4-3-2-1 system.
Probable line-ups
Uruguay: Muslera; Caceres, Godin, Lugano, Pereira; Cristian Rodriguez, Arevalo Rios, Perez; Forlan; Suarez, Cavani
Italy: Buffon; Maggio, Bonucci, Astori, De Sciglio; Candreva, De Rossi, Montolivo; Diamanti; El Shaarawy, Gilardino
OR
Italy: Buffon; Bonucci, Astori, Chiellini; Maggio, Montolivo, De Rossi, De Sciglio; Candreva, Aquilani; El Shaarawy