Multiple reports in Italy claim Nicolò Fagioli and Stephan El Shaarawy are expected to start for Italy against Switzerland on Saturday.
The Azzurri trained in Iserlohn this morning and are about to take off from Dortmund to Berlin, where they will be facing Switzerland in a Round of 16 tie on Saturday, June 29.
Alessandro Bastoni warmed up separately, while Federico Dimarco didn’t join his teammates on the pitch due to a calf problem. According to Corriere dello Sport, Bastoni will start anyway, while Dimarco is in serious doubt.
Both the Rome-based paper and Sky Sport Italia claim Fagioli will start in central midfield against Switzerland, with El Shaarawy joining Gianluca Scamacca and Federico Chiesa in attack.
Corriere dello Sport adds that Spalletti alternated ElSha with his Roma teammate Lorenzo Pellegrini in an attacking midfield role during a training session on Friday morning.
Fagioli, on the other hand, would play with Nicolò Barella and Bryan Cristante in central midfield.
Spalletti will provide the latest team news at a pre-match press conference later today.
Yes!!! Fagioli!! 🙌🇮🇹
Thought Fagioli was excellent when he came on against Croatia. Crucial in the build up to the goal playing the 1-2 with Calafiori despite being fouled from behind under considerable pressure.
Italy really need to find some decent strikers. So many balls into the box and no one there. I’m sure Vieri would love a chance.