It’s a battle between Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti to lead the Italy line against Portugal, with changes above all in midfield and attack.
The UEFA Nations League match kicks off in Lisbon on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
It is the Azzurri’s second game of the tournament, after a 1-1 draw with Poland, while it’s the debut for Portugal.
According to the latest reports, Coach Roberto Mancini is sticking with the 4-3-3 formation, but making some changes in personnel.
It’s a battle between Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti to lead the Italy line against Portugal, with changes above all in midfield and attack.
The UEFA Nations League match kicks off in Lisbon on Monday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
It is the Azzurri’s second game of the tournament, after a 1-1 draw with Poland, while it’s the debut for Portugal.
According to the latest reports, Coach Roberto Mancini is sticking with the 4-3-3 formation, but making some changes in personnel.
Mario Balotelli was desperately disappointing and clearly not fit against Poland, limping off with an ice pack strapped to his thigh.
Torino forward Belotti had been the favourite to start upfront, but Lazio striker Immobile is closing in.
Lorenzo Insigne also looks set for the bench in favour of impressive Federico Chiesa, with Federico Bernardeschi on the other side of the trident.
Domenico Criscito has shaken off an injury and is therefore ready to take over from Cristiano Biraghi at left-back.
The biggest question marks are in midfield, where only Jorginho seems certain of his spot.
It seemed in training as if Roberto Gagliardini would stay in the starting XI, although his inclusion against Poland had already raised some eyebrows.
The other position is between Marco Benassi of Fiorentina, Roma’s Bryan Cristante and versatile Milan man Giacomo Bonaventura, although two could start if Gagliardini makes way.
Portugal have lost Raphael Guerreiro to injury, but Coach Fernando Santos warned not to expect too many changes from the side that drew 1-1 in a friendly with Croatia on Thursday.
Milan-owned striker Andre Silva, currently on loan to Sevilla, should be the central prong of a trident attack flanked by Bernardo Silva and either Rony Lopes or Goncalo Guedes.
There is a distinctly Serie A flavour to the full-backs, as Juve’s Joao Cancelo and Mario Rui of Napoli are the picks.
Portugal (4-3-3): Patricio; Cancelo, Pepe, Ruben Dias, Mario Rui; Pizzi, Ruben Neves, William; Bernardo Silva, Andre Silva, Rony Lopes
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Zappacosta, Bonucci, Chiellini, Criscito; Gagliardini, Jorginho, Bonaventura; Bernardeschi, Belotti, Chiesa