Italy CT Roberto Mancini is facing an injury crisis in defence, but hopes to see Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini return to action for the World Cup play-offs final. Here’s how the Azzurri could line up against North Macedonia on Thursday.
The Azzurri will host North Macedonia at Palermo’s Renzo Barbera Stadium in the play-offs semi-finals on Thursday. Mancini has confirmed that he’ll be short of options at centre back with Bonucci injured and Chiellini not 100% fit.
Italy to face World Cup play-offs semis without Euro 2020 defence
The Juventus captain had played 45 minutes against Salernitana on Sunday and Mancini said yesterday that the defender would decide whether to play two games in five days. If Italy beat North Macedonia, they will play the final away from home against Turkey or Portugal on March 29.
Aside from the two central defenders, Mancini is expected to confirm the same starting line-up that went on to win the Euros in the summer.
The coach said that Gigio Donnarumma is not a problem despite his recent issues at PSG, so the ex-Milan star is a sure starter. Alessandro Florenzi will likely replace the injured Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back, while Emerson Palmieri will be left-back.
Alessandro Bastoni will be one of the two central defenders against North Macedonia, and either Gianluca Mancini (favourite) or Francesco Acerbi will partner with him on Thursday. Midfield and attack will remain exactly the same as during the Euros with Domenico Berardi starting in place of Federico Chiesa who has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee injury.
The Sassuolo star is the most decisive Serie A player this term having contributed to 28 goals in 27 appearances with Sassuolo (14 goals and 14 assists). Here’s how Italy could line up against North Macedonia and in the potential final against Turkey or Portugal (via La Gazzetta dello Sport).
On the left, the possible line-up for the match against North Macedonia, on the right the one for the potential final.
