Italy CT Roberto Mancini could make changes ahead of the quarter-final against Belgium, with both Manuel Locatelli and Matteo Pessina pushing for a place in the starting line-up.
There’s a chance for Andrea Belotti to replace Ciro Immobile up front too, as La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights the possible changes at the Azzurri ahead of the quarter-final on Friday.
Nicolò Barella seemed a bit short of energy against Austria and the coach has several alternatives should he need to make changes in the middle of the park against the Red Devils.
The last 16 was won thanks to the alternations made by Mancini, when substitutes Chiesa and Pessina scored the two goals to help Italy pick up a 2-1 win over Austria after 120 minutes.
Mancini’s men are unbeaten in 31 games and the report believes both Verratti and Barella deserved to start against the Austrians at Wembley, but stressed the duo shouldn’t feel too safe ahead of the next game.
The Azzurri know from previous experiences that some changes could be useful, as there are 26 players capable of doing a job, with Federico Chiesa the one player really pushing to get a start in the knockout stages.
Locatelli and Belotti have made an impact so far this summer, but Pessina, who replaced Stefano Sensi in the squad in the last minutes before the competition, has helped fill the void when Barella has struggled to keep his consistency from a successful campaign with Inter.
The newspaper believes it will be difficult to keep Pessina out of the team after his two important goals to help the Azzurri to the quarter-finals, scoring the winners against both Wales and Austria.
Pessina could thus possibly replace Barella in the starting line-up against Belgium, according to the report, whilst the battle between Locatelli and Verratti is a bit more complicated.
The Paris Saint-Germain player is the star of the Azzurri and the playmaker that dictates the tempo of the game, as he and Chelsea midfielder Jorginho have combined well to help Italy create their new characteristics under Mancini.
The newspaper points at a possible midfield with Pessina, Jorginho and Locatelli, but doesn’t fully believe that Mancini will leave out Verratti.
Captain Giorgio Chiellini could be back in time to face Belgium on Friday, and the Juventus veteran has already made an impact in the one and a half games he played in the group stage.
Francesco Acerbi has replaced the injured 36-year-old, but if Chiellini has recovered, he is expected to start next to Leonardo Bonucci.
Mancini could make changes in attack too, where Chiesa seems set to replace Domenico Berardi at right, whilst Belotti only started once in Group A – against Wales in the third game.
It could be the Torino captain’s time at the Allianz Arena, unless Mancini is tempted to give Giacomo Raspadori a chance to star.
La Gazzetta dello Sport believes Chiesa will start over Berardi, as the Juventus winger has provided an energy boost for the Azzurri coming off the bench. His decisive moment against Austria might have earned him a chance to start in Munich.
Locatelli e Pessina dall’inizio col Belgio? Chance anche per Belotti #euro2020 https://t.co/sgX9cVBwtv
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) June 28, 2021