Giorgio Chiellini and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are expected to start against Switzerland tomorrow, while Manuel Locatelli could replace Marco Verratti.
Italy face Switzerland in Basel tomorrow in their fifth World Cup qualifying match. On Thursday, the Azzurri picked up a 1-1 draw against Bulgaria in their first game as European champions.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Il Corriere dello Sport, Roberto Mancini is expected to make three changes to the line-up that faced Bulgaria earlier this week.
Il totem Chiellini più Di Lorenzo, il c.t. prepara un’Italia mobile https://t.co/J3nQA4Bgct
— La Gazzetta dello Sport (@Gazzetta_it) September 4, 2021
Captain Giorgio Chiellini and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are expected to start in a four-man defence completed by Leonardo Bonucci and Chelsea’s Emerson Palmieri, so Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Florenzi will be relegated to the bench.
Chiellini was on the bench against Bulgaria, while Di Lorenzo was sent to the stands, but only to rest ahead of the game with second-placed Switzerland.
Italy: Verratti a doubt for Switzerland clash with knee problem
Mancini could make one more change in the middle of the park with Manuel Locatelli possibly replacing Marco Verratti who picked up a knock to his knee against Bulgaria. Italy doctors will assess his condition during today’s training session.
The Azzurri are the Group C leaders with ten points in four games, but the Swiss follow them in second place with six points and two games in hand.
How the 2022 World Cup Qualifiers work and why Italy must win their group
bring in Calabria!!!! this ct is too loyal.. change up the lineup… and my none is younger than Giorgio
Oh no…..this means more wasted chances and poor play from Immobile!! Some may disagree with me but I think Insigne could use a rest too. He was largely ineffective last match and might be better used as a substitute for this key match. I guess Mancini will live or die with his reputation of being loyal to his players. I’m not saying this is a bad thing but with the exception of Chiesa, changes were really needed up front.
At some Point of Time, BEFORE the World-Cup, Chiellini has to be retire. The right Time is: Now. The Goal by Spain in EURO-2020 Semi-Final was the Goal that has already exposed Italy’s Defense. It’s time to allow young Calabria and Bastoni to settle into the Defense and to absorb proper Experience of International Matches.
Give Bastoni a go!
Chiellini shouldn’t be involved in the national team matches now. Great he won the Euros with Italy. So it’s time for him to retire.
italy has always had the best defensive chemistry and back line units in football history and still need to continue this tradition. Giorgio and Bonucci showed us this at euros but they are on the their last legs, time to inter weave and pass the guard to next generation like the past greats. ie : Baresi Gentile Bergomi Scirea Costacurta Maldini Panucci Zambrotta Cannavaro Nesta Materazzi Barzagli to the present day
Spinazzola is a shoe in when back from injury, along with Emerson who shows promise in role, but we to find other greats to carry into future….as we still and will always have some short comings up front when it comes to scoring, we must always have that wall in back to stifle teams and grind out wins.