One favourite emerges to replace Calafiori as Spalletti ponders more Italy changes vs. Switzerland

Multiple reports in Italy claim Gianluca Mancini is favourite to replace the suspended Riccardo Calafiori against Switzerland, while Gianluca Scamacca is expected to return to the starting XI on Saturday.

Italy are preparing for an EURO 2024 Round of 16 tie against Switzerland on Saturday, but the CT Spalletti will have to cope without the suspended Calafiori, who received two yellow cards during the group phase.

All Italian sports papers report that Roma’s Mancini is the favourite to replace the Bologna defender on Saturday.

One favourite emerges to replace Calafiori as Spalletti ponders more Italy changes vs. Switzerland

Il Corriere dello Sport tries to guess more changes Spalletti will make in Berlin, suggesting that Scamacca is favourite to start in attack in place of Mateo Retegui, while Giacomo Raspadori could go on the bench and make room for Federico Chiesa.

There are more doubts in central midfield, where Nicolò Fagioli’s stocks are rising, contrary to Davide Frattesi and Lorenzo Pellegrini, from whom Spalletti expects more.

However, Gazzetta, on page six, highlights that the Azzurri may be too unbalanced if starting with Fagioli, Nicolò Barella and Jorginho against Switzerland and that Spalletti is not entirely convinced about dropping the Arsenal midfielder in a key game where experience and personality will be as needed as vertical passes.