Italy could make three changes to the side that beat England when facing Costa Rica on Friday and move Matteo Darmian.
The Azzurri won their opening World Cup tie 2-1 on Saturday night, playing a 4-1-4-1 formation with Giorgio Chiellini as left-back.
Italy could make three changes to the side that beat England when facing Costa Rica on Friday and move Matteo Darmian.
The Azzurri won their opening World Cup tie 2-1 on Saturday night, playing a 4-1-4-1 formation with Giorgio Chiellini as left-back.
With Milan man Mattia De Sciglio unlikely to be risked from the start after his thigh injury, Cesare Prandelli is looking at other alternatives for that role.
It’s reported he could move Torino’s Darmian over to the left, having been so impressive as right-back against England.
This would allow Ignazio Abate to go on the right and switch Chiellini back into his favoured central position with Leonardo Bonucci probably giving Juventus teammate Andrea Barzagli a rest.
This would mean dropping Gabriel Paletta, as the Parma defender seemed ill-at-ease in Manaus.
Marco Verratti is another player who could be left out against Costa Rica, as he is still recovering from a bout of flu.
He could be replaced by his Paris Saint-Germain teammate Thiago Motta.
Salvatore Sirigu, also of PSG, is almost certain to retain the gloves after Gigi Buffon’s ankle injury.
Italy probable: Sirigu; Abate, Bonucci, Chiellini, Darmian; De Rossi; Candreva, Thiago Motta, Pirlo, Marchisio; Balotelli