Roberto Mancini is expected to continue his Italy experiments in Sunday’s friendly with Austria, potentially adopting a 3-4-3 formation, or returning to 4-3-3.
The final game of 2022 is in Vienna on Sunday at 19.45 GMT.
The Nazionale already tried out a 3-5-2 and 3-4-3 throughout the 3-1 friendly win away to Albania on Wednesday evening.
More players have left the camp due to injuries, including Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Fagioli, leaving a squad of 25 flying to Austria.
There are two alternatives to begin the match against Austria, as a 3-4-3 formation would confirm Atalanta teenager Scalvini in the defence.
He received his first senior Italy start against Albania, and would remain along with Leonardo Bonucci, but Francesco Acerbi can replace his Inter teammate Alessandro Bastoni.
In case of a 4-3-3 tactic, Marco Verratti would be confirmed in midfield, bringing in Nicolò Barella and Matteo Pessina, sending Scalvini to the bench.
Italy probable line-ups
(3-4-3): Donnarumma; Scalvini, Acerbi, Bonucci; Di Lorenzo, Barella, Pessina, Dimarco; Politano, Raspadori, Grifo
OR
(4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Dimarco; Barella, Verratti, Pessina; Politano, Raspadori, Grifo
Does Scalvini not know how to play in a four man defense?
And why is acerbi and bonucci playing? Time for new defenders not old grandpas
2023 will be a test for Italy in the Nations League and the Euro qualifiers with England again, once their players are back they could be the team that never was at the world cup.
With all the corruption and hypocrisy surrounding the World Cup this year perhaps it is better that Italy aren’t there.
Having said that, despite Italy’s decline as a footballing nation it is a shame not to see them there.