While Eden Hazard and Kevin De Bruyne remain in doubt for Belgium, Roberto Mancini can rely on full squad and Federico Chiesa or Domenico Berardi could start on the right-wing.
Both teams trained in Munich today ahead of their meeting in the quarter-finals of UEFA Euro 2020 on Friday.
Roberto Mancini can rely on full squad with Giorgio Chiellini and Alessandro Florenzi, who have recovered from injuries.
The Azzurri captain is expected to partner Leonardo Bonucci in centre defence, while Florenzi could be benched with Giovanni Di Lorenzo starting at right-back.
However, Mancini tried Francesco Acerbi at centre-back during Thursday’s training session, so it’s not sure Chiellini will start.
The Azzurri captain warned there is more to Belgium than Romelu Lukaku during his pre-match press conference, while Mancini praised Italy’s next opponents, saying the Red Devils are ‘the best team in the world’ with France.
He also acknowledged that Italy’s narrow 2-1 win over Austria in the Round of 16 could be beneficial for La Nazionale, who needed extra time to have the better of Franco Foda’s side last weekend.
Italy will have one last training session on Friday morning, after which Mancini will decide his starting XI.
As things stand, the only major doubts for the Azzurri CT is who to start at right-winger and at centre-back.
Domenico Berardi has two assists in three appearances, but Federico Chiesa broke the deadlock during extra time against Austria and could get the nod against the Red Devils.
The Juventus winger played with the starters’ team in the last training session,
Meantime, Roberto Martinez is dealing with the injuries of Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, who haven’t trained with Belgium since their 1-0 win over Portugal on Sunday.
The former Everton boss admitted it will be hard to see the Real Madrid winger on the pitch, while De Bruyne has a few more chances to play.