Roberto Mancini continued testing a 4-3-3 formation ahead of his Italy debut against Saudi Arabia, with Mario Balotelli leading the way.
The Coach has his first game on the Azzurri bench on Monday evening, ahead of friendlies with France on June 1 and the Netherlands in Turin on June 4.
Mancini seems to have settled on a 4-3-3 system and tried it again in training today with Balotelli set to make his first Italy appearance since the 2014 World Cup.
Roberto Mancini continued testing a 4-3-3 formation ahead of his Italy debut against Saudi Arabia, with Mario Balotelli leading the way.
The Coach has his first game on the Azzurri bench on Monday evening, ahead of friendlies with France on June 1 and the Netherlands in Turin on June 4.
Mancini seems to have settled on a 4-3-3 system and tried it again in training today with Balotelli set to make his first Italy appearance since the 2014 World Cup.
The Nice striker is flanked by Napoli’s Lorenzo Insigne and either Bologna free kick specialist Simone Verdi or Sassuolo’s on form Matteo Politano.
Bryan Cristante and Lorenzo Pellegrini are challenging for the final midfield spot alongside Jorginho and Alessandro Florenzi.
As the captain’s armband for Italy in friendlies tends to be given to the most senior member of the squad, Balotelli is in with a strong shout of not only making his comeback after four years, but of being captain too.
Italy (probable): Donnarumma; Zappacosta, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Criscito; Florenzi, Jorginho, Cristante/Pellegrini; Verdi/Politano, Balotelli, Insigne