Giorgio Chiellini is set to start Italy’s friendly against Russia on Friday along with Riccardo Montolivo, Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli.
Giorgio Chiellini is set to start Italy’s friendly against Russia on Friday along with Riccardo Montolivo, Antonio Cassano and Mario Balotelli.
The first match against Luxembourg had to be cancelled on Tuesday when the Parma area was struck by an earthquake.
This means Cesare Prandelli has only one test before Euro 2012 begins in their meeting with Spain on June 10.
Cassano and Balotelli were set to be the front two in that Luxembourg game, but are expected to be picked again to face Russia with Montolivo as a trequartista.
Chiellini was a major doubt to be fit for the group phase, but is recovering quickly from that thigh strain and could even start Friday’s game.
Juventus teammate Andrea Barzagli looks likely to be his centre-back partner, with Christian Maggio and Federico Balzaretti out wide.
Andrea Pirlo, Claudio Marchisio and Daniele De Rossi complete the midfield.