Antonio Conte plans big changes for his Italy line-up against Malta on Monday, bringing in Graziano Pellè, Marco Verratti and Antonio Candreva.
Antonio Conte plans big changes for his Italy line-up against Malta on Monday, bringing in Graziano Pellè, Marco Verratti and Antonio Candreva.
The Azzurri have won all three games under Conte, but Friday’s slender 2-1 victory over Azerbaijan was the worst performance so far.
With another Euro 2016 qualifier coming up in Malta tomorrow evening, the Coach is ready to rotate his squad.
The team has been training at Palermo’s facilities over the weekend and will fly out to Malta this afternoon.
The defence should remain identical, so keeping the Juventus block plus Andrea Ranocchia of Inter.
Both wingers are expected to change, bringing in Candreva and Manuel Pasqual in place of Matteo Darmian and Mattia De Sciglio.
Andrea Pirlo is likely to be rested, as PSG talent Verratti has now shaken off a knock and is ready to start.
He’ll be joined by Claudio Marchisio and one from Alessandro Florenzi, Andrea Poli and Marco Parolo.
In attack, Ciro Immobile seems set to keep his spot, but Simone Zaza’s poor form for club and country can see him dropped in favour of Southampton hitman Pellè.
Another forward pushing for a starting spot is Sebastian Giovinco, who impressed a great deal as a substitute for 16 minutes against Azerbaijan.
He contributed to the winning goal and hit the crossbar.
Italy (probable): Buffon; Ranocchia, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Marchisio, Verratti, Florenzi, Pasqual; Immobile, Pellè