Italy could lose Angelo Ogbonna to a suspected muscle strain, with Matteo Darmian practicing in his position in training today.

The Azzurri are already without a number of first-choice defenders for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier with Croatia on Sunday.

Italy could lose Angelo Ogbonna to a suspected muscle strain, with Matteo Darmian practicing in his position in training today.

The Azzurri are already without a number of first-choice defenders for the upcoming Euro 2016 qualifier with Croatia on Sunday.

Indications from today’s training are that added to that list could be Juventus man Ogbonna, who is reported to have suffered a suspected muscle strain.

Set to undergo MRI diagnostic tests to assess the extent of any damage, the 26-year-old did not take part in the afternoon session at Coverciano.

Andrea Ranocchia worked in the suspended Leonardo Bonucci’s position in the centre of Antonio Conte’s planned back-three, with Giorgio Chiellini to the left and Torino’s Darmian to the right.

Midfield heading into Sunday’s San Siro test looks likely to be Daniele De Rossi in between Antonio Candreva and Claudio Marchisio, whilst today the flanks were worked by Mattia De Sciglio and Manuel Pasqual.

Whilst Mario Balotelli has reportedly been showing a good attitude this week, it looks likely that Conte will stick with Simone Zaza and Ciro Immobile as his front two.

Behind closed doors this afternoon the Azzurri faced off against the Under-18 side in a training match.

Probable Italy XI to face Croatia: Buffon; Darmian, Ranocchia, Chiellini; De Sciglio, Candreva, De Rossi, Marchisio, Pasqual; Zaza, Immobile

Byrob

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