Luciano Spalletti expects Jorginho to take a penalty if Italy are awarded one against North Macedonia or Ukraine, but ‘all that matters is the result’ to secure EURO 2024 qualification.
It kicks off on Friday at the Stadio Olimpico at 19.45 GMT.
The Azzurri need four points from the remaining two games against North Macedonia and then Monday with Ukraine to qualify for EURO 2024.
Alessandro Bastoni is the latest player to have left the training camp due to an injury, so Federico Gatti is tipped to start in defence.
“We lost Bastoni, but we are being very careful in training and it’s trickier with the limited time we have available on international duty,” said Spalletti in a press conference in Rome this evening.
“Moise Kean ought to be available. From here to tomorrow night, all that matters is the result. We must go and win this game, learning what it means to wear this jersey.”
The questions were inevitably again around the penalty takers now that Jorginho is back in the squad for the first time since the Nations League Final Four.
If the Arsenal man had converted just one of the two penalties against Switzerland, then Italy would’ve qualified for the 2022 World Cup and avoided the play-offs.
“We have three very good penalty takers,” replied Spalletti. “Considering his strength of character, I would expect Jorginho to pick up the ball. He is a specialist, a good man, I am sure he would not hold back.
“I only personally got to know him over the last few days and I was incredibly impressed with the way he makes the team move. He showed how much he wants to be part of this squad.”
The other candidates would likely be Domenico Berardi and Giacomo Raspadori.
Spalletti made his debut on the Italy bench with a disappointing 2-2 draw away to North Macedonia on September 9, just days after taking over from Roberto Mancini.
It was reported this week that the Azzurri players have signed up to an app that will help them stay in touch and continue tactical lectures even when away from Spalletti and Coverciano.
“The Federation gave us the possibility to use technology and help create more unity. Having said that, we can a thousand things, but tomorrow we have to win this game and put in a good performance.”
This is a return to the Stadio Olimpico for Spalletti, who had two different spells as the coach of Roma.
“Seeing the Olimpico full is something that only the fortunate ones like us can experience. It’s like seeing a beautiful rainbow, sunset or work of art.”
Italy (probable): Donnarumma; Darmian, Gatti, Acerbi, Dimarco; Barella, Jorginho, Bonaventura; Berardi, Raspadori, Chiesa
Can you imagine if he misses another crucial one?