Antonio Conte tested out a brand-new Italy line-up for tomorrow’s Albania friendly, heavy in Genoa and Sampdoria” data-scaytid=”2″>Sampdoria players.
Antonio Conte tested out a brand-new Italy line-up for tomorrow’s Albania friendly, heavy in Genoa and Sampdoria players.
The game will be played at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris – also known as Marassi – and was organised to raise funds for the people of Genoa affected by recent floods.
Ironically, more flooding in the city over the last couple of days prompted fears the match could be called off.
Italy Coach Conte will use this opportunity to test out new faces and will reward the fans by using numerous players from club sides Genoa and Samp.
Leonardo Bonucci could also feature, as the Juventus defender was suspended for the 1-1 draw with Croatia last night.
Today Conte tested two different line-ups in a game between ranks at Vismara, the training ground used by Milan’s youth academy.
The probable starting XI included five Genoa players (Mattia Perin, Luca Antonelli, Stefano Sturaro, Andrea Bertolacci and Alessandro Matri) and two from Sampdoria (Manolo Gabbiadini and Stefano Okaka).
Conte had originally intended to start Samp’s Roberto Soriano in this friendly, but he was called off the bench to make his debut during the first half of the Croatia match due to Manuel Pasqual’s injury.
Also expected to get his first cap is Sassuolo defender Francesco Acerbi, who was given the all-clear from his second battle with cancer only a few months ago.
Italy One: Perin; Rugani, Bonucci, Acerbi; Antonelli, Gabbiadini, Parolo, Sturaro, Bertolacci; Okaka, Matri
Italy Two: Sirigu; De Silvestri, Rossettini, Moretti, Criscito; Cerci, Aquilani, Poli, Bonaventura; Giovinco, Destro