Roberto Mancini is expected not to make any change in Italy’s starting line-up against England in the EURO 2020 Final at Wembley Stadium this evening.
Chelsea full-back Emerson Palmieri will likely replace the injured Leonardo Spinazzola, who has travelled with the team to London and will watch the game from the stands.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo will get the nod at right-back, with Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci in centre defence.
Marco Verratti is expected to start over Manuel Locatelli in the middle of the park, with Federico Chiesa, Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile up front.
“We aim to entertain, certainly, but I also hope we can be substantial. It has not been easy, we did well to get here and there’s one more push before we can all go on vacation,” Italy coach Roberto Mancini said at a press conference.
“We had wanted to play our style of football against Spain too, they just did well to limit us. Our identity brought us this far, we have no intention of changing now.”
Phil Foden sat out England’s training session on the eve of the game and won’t be available for the Final.
He is the only unavailable player for the Three Lions, while the Azzurri have Leonardo Spinazzola out of action.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge. It’s a brilliant game to be involved in and to prepare for. Italy are a fine opponent, they’re tactically very good and are on a tremendous run,” said Gareth Southgate yesterday.
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
England: Pickford; Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw; Rice, Phillips; Saka, Mount, Sterling; Kane