Italy are increasingly likely to use Lorenzo Insigne or Federico Chiesa as a False 9 in the World Cup qualifier against Switzerland, after Ciro Immobile pulled out.
It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday at 19.45 GMT.
The two sides are currently neck-and-neck at the top of the group, separated only by goal difference, with Italy on +12 and Switzerland +9.
Immobile, Giorgio Chiellini, Nicolò Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini have all pulled out of the training camp due to injury.
That means Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi will step in with Leonardo Bonucci for the back four.
Inter midfielder Nicolò Barella has now recovered from a muscular twinge and is back training with the full squad, so should complete the trio with Jorginho and Manuel Locatelli, in the absence of Marco Verratti.
The big problems are upfront, because Immobile has pulled out with a calf injury, while Andrea Belotti is still nowhere near fully fit after over a month out with a sprained ankle.
Gianluca Scamacca and Giacomo Raspadori of Sassuolo have very little international experience and aren’t always first choice at club level either.
It is therefore increasingly likely that Roberto Mancini will choose a front three of Domenico Berardi, Insigne and Chiesa.
This would allow for remarkable versatility, as Insigne and Chiesa can switch between them as False 9 or on the left side of that trident.
Italy (probable): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli; Berardi, Insigne, Chiesa
Italia Svizzera, le probabili formazioni della partita di qualificazione ai Mondiali#SkySport #Qatar2022 #ItaliaSvizzera #Italia #Nazionalehttps://t.co/CiQjna7I9M
— skysport (@SkySport) November 10, 2021
Where’s Super Mario when you need him?
Good line-up. Should do the job.
It’s Switzerland. You’re at home. Just f—-ing win. (Or at least draw!!!!)
Oh no the last time they tried a false 9 it was awful.
‘Oh paper’ that team sounds more than capable. The switching between Chiesa and Insigne should hopefully confuse the Swiss defence.
Losing should not really be a possibility.
@Football Italia – Italy have a goal difference of +11 not +12!
2-0 italia
book it
The ‘Real’ number 9 Immobile is not that good either for the NT.
Still can’t believe people are calling for Balotelli. It would be a thing if he was playing regularly at a mid table club in the top 5 leagues, but he isn’t even doing that. The line from Bronx tale suits him best, “the saddest thing in life is wasted talent.” Or Raiola as your agent, depends on who you ask.