There are increasing reports Roberto Mancini will give new Juventus defender Federico Gatti his Italy debut against England in the Nations League, with a completely new midfield.

The match kicks off at Molineux this evening at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

So far in this tournament, Mancini has not been afraid to revamp his squad and take big risks with players who are largely untested even in Serie A, let alone at international level.

It paid off, especially in the case of Willy Gnonto, and now the coach wants to shake things up in defence too.

Sky Sport Italia report he’ll give Gatti a starting spot, the defender turns 24 later this month and Juventus invested €5.5m to sign him in January, although he remained to complete the season on loan in Serie B with Frosinone.

Gatti has never played in the top flight and this was only his first Serie B season, while he also has no youth team appearances for Italy either.

Other changes are in midfield, with Manuel Locatelli, Davide Frattesi and Sandro Tonali together.

Gianluca Scamacca is the only confirmed figure upfront, but it’s now rumoured he’ll be flanked by Matteo Pessina of Atalanta and Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Until last night, the reports were he’d use Verona pair Gianluca Caprari and Matteo Cancellieri.

Italy probable: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Gatti, Acerbi, Dimarco; Frattesi, Locatelli, Tonali; Pessina, Scamacca, Pellegrini

4 thought on “Gatti could get Italy debut against England”
  1. I’m very disappointed that Caprari had one of the best seasons ever but can’t get a starting pick.

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