Cesare Prandelli’s starting XI for Italy’s World Cup 2014 qualifier against Bulgaria is beginning to take shape.
The Azzurri boss has some decisions to make given a number of suspensions for Friday’s game in Palermo.
Cesare Prandelli’s starting XI for Italy’s World Cup 2014 qualifier against Bulgaria is beginning to take shape.
The Azzurri boss has some decisions to make given a number of suspensions for Friday’s game in Palermo.
Italy will be without the banned Milan striker Mario Balotelli, Southampton forward Pablo Daniel Osvaldo and midfielder Riccardo Montolivo.
Juventus centre-back Andrea Barzagli is also missing after he returned to Turin on Monday because of injury.
Italy should line-up with a 4-3-2-1 system with Leonardo Bonucci coming into the team in place of Barzagli.
Milan’s Ignazio Abate and Genoa’s Luca Antonelli should be the full-backs.
Recalled Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Thiago Motta is being tipped to start, while Antonio Candreva of Lazio and Sunderland’s Emanuele Giaccherini could support lone striker Alberto Gilardino.
Italy possible: Buffon: Abate, Bonucci, Chiellini, Antonelli; Thiago Motta, De Rossi, Pirlo; Candreva, Giaccherini; Gilardino.