Italy are set to take on England at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona in their first international fixture of the year on Thursday evening.
The English have not played in Naples in over 30 years, dating back to the World Cup on Italian soil in 1990.
Since CT Roberto Mancini announced his 30-man squad for the games against England and Malta last Thursday, there have been a few amendments to Italy’s plans heading into the qualifiers.
In goal, uncapped 22-year-old Cremonese ‘keeper Marco Carnesecchi has been called into the squad to replace Lazio’s Ivan Provedel, who was struck down by a bout of flu in the build-up to the Derby della Capitale against Roma last week.
As one of only two goalkeepers with any previous caps to their name, Gianluigi Donnarumma is expected to keep his place between the sticks for the Azzurri when England come to town on Thursday night.
On Wednesday afternoon, it was announced that captain Leonardo Bonucci will have to drop out of the squad, having reported a problem with his leg during training earlier in the week.
Federico Chiesa will also return to Turin earlier than expected. He will not feature in either game this international break and a replacement has not been called into the squad in his absence.
Inter’s Federico Dimarco also left the squad earlier in the week and was replaced by West Ham’s wing-back Emerson.
Only five of the team who lined up against England in the Euro 2020 final are expected to start in Naples on Thursday.
As mentioned, Donnarumma is likely to start in goal, with Giovanni Di Lornezo tipped to start at full-back and the entire midfield of Jorginho, Marco Verratti and Nicolo Barella expected to keep their sought-after spots in midfield.
Out of favour in England, Gianluca Scamacca could lead the line for Mancini’s side in Naples, although there is a fresh look about the Azzurri’s attacking department with fellow Premier League hotshot Wilfried Gnonto hopeful of being involved at some stage.
Furthermore, Mancini gave call-ups to Argentine-born Mateo Retegui and 17-year-old Udinese forward Simone Pafundi, although neither are expected to start against England.
A comparatively easier, although still competitive fixture against Malta on Sunday evening might provide more of an opportunity for Mancini to shuffle his pack.
Kick off in Naples is at 19.45 GMT on Thursday evening.