Italy’s defensive solidity was one of the keys to winning EURO 2020, but only two players of that defence are expected to start against North Macedonia on Thursday.
La Nazionale conceded just four goals in seven games over the summer, winning the Euros for the second time in their history. Gianluigi Donnarumma, Leonardo Bonucci and Leonardo Spinazzola were all named in the Team of the Tournament, but only the goalkeeper will start against North Macedonia on Thursday, in the semi-finals of the World Cup play-offs.
Bonucci is still recovering from a calf injury and was not available in Juventus‘ 2-0 win over Salernitana yesterday. His teammate Giorgio Chiellini has just recovered from a similar problem and did only play 45 minutes yesterday. Bonucci and Chiellini are likely to miss the match against North Macedonia but could be available for the potential final.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Inter‘s Alessandro Bastoni will be one of the starting centre-backs on Thursday night, while Roma‘s Gianluca Mancini is favourite over Lazio‘s Francesco Acerbi for the other spot in centre defence.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo will be another of the notable absentees on Thursday. The Napoli right-back has suffered an injury in Saturday’s Serie A match against Udinese and has been replaced by Juventus’ Mattia De Sciglio. Di Lorenzo became the starting right-back for the Azzurri after Alessandro Florenzi’s injury in the opening game against Turkey. The Milan defender will get the nod on Thursday night.
Last but not least, Emerson Palmieri will start at left-back against North Macedonia, once again replacing Spinazzola who has yet to return to action since his Achielles tendon injury against Belgium in July. On paper, Emerson and Donnarumma are the only Euro 2020 starters in Italy’s defence that will also get the nod on Thursday.
Gianluca, not Alessandro Mancini, and actually I’ve been wanting Bastoni and Mancini to be tried together for a long time. Not a bad game to do it, with no disrespect to North Macedonia
This was always going to happen it was a miracle Bonucci and especially Chiellini were fit for Euro 2020. Chiellini is far too old to be first choice centre back now. Both should have retired after winning the euros and made way for the next generation.
I don’t see any legitimate wing-backs (especially in the absence of the injured Spinazzola) who bring fear to the opposition, so why not try a 3-man defence instead of wasting a position with players like Palmieri and De Sciglio? Throw in the reality that Italy has tremendous quality in MF and less so in FW, so it almost screams for 5 men in the middle of the park.
More youth players should be given chances to play regularly. I am sure R.mancini wil go with Acerbi instead of mancini. Mattia Lovato should be given a call up too. Italy hold to much long on veterans players and that is holding the nation back. Italy Should quickly learn from Spain and Germany
Yes I agree Italy should let young players take their place in the team. Let’s not forget though that they have won 4 world cups and two euros with their current mind set.
I hope I’m wrong but this article is a recipe for disaster. La speranza e` l’ultima a morire pero. Forza Italia!
I would like to see the younger players like Mancini and Bastoni but I am worry in these 2 decisive games, I still prefer if Chiellini and Bonucci were fit. I also miss seeing Spinazzola playing, he could have helped a lot. I hope Italy makes it through. Forza Italia
Donnarumma
Florenzi – Mancini – Bastoni – Biraghi
Barella – Verratti – Jorginho
Pellegrini
Berardi – Scamacca.
He’ll probably go with Acerbi, Emerson, and Insigne over Mancini, Biraghi and Pellegrini, though.
My team would be Sirigu`, Emerson Palmieri, Mancini, Bastoni and Biraghi (awesome at freekicks) – Barella, Jorginho, and Veratti – Pellegrini (awesome at freekicks and could help the midfield) – Immobile and Berardi. Reason in dropping Donnarumma is he is just not playing well and his mental condition will not help. We cannot afford anybody playing with their own doubts.
Donnarumma
Florenzi Mancini Bastoni Biraghi
Barella. Pellegrini Jorginho
Berardi Scamacca Insigne
Let’s not count chickens before they hatch, doesn’t really matter who starts, does the TEAM show up or does the TEIM show up?
Those are the best ones available. Mancini over Acerbi is good news. Calabria should’ve been there but Florenzi will do. He’s found some form lately.
The other good news is, I’ve watched Lyon play Porto and Emerson was in good form. Played really well. Consistent playing time time might have done him good, as you’d expect.
This always happens so many players hurt at crucial moments. 6 starters not fit still maybe ok to beat Macedonia but to beat Portugal? Serie A did the team no favors with extending the schedule as long as possible so they only have 3 days rest. While Portugal gets an extended rest period. We are our own enemies most times. Prioritizing club over national team will doom them once again.
Italian stallion so true we are our own worst enemies
I would drop Insigne as he hasn’t been playing well for Italy last few games. I have no idea why he picked Bonucci and Chiellini as there both not 100%. Another name that shouldn’t be there is belotti no idea why RM keeps picking him. He has played 15 games this season and only scored 4 so I would of gone with Caprari
Agree Belotti shouldn’t be there. My starters would be
Donnarumma
Florenzi Mancini Chiellini Emerson
Barella, Jorginho Veratti Pellegrini
Immobile Berardi
Half time subs being Acerbi, Scamacca and Insigne