Luciano Spalletti will make several changes to Italy’s line-up against Ukraine, with Davide Frattesi, Nicolò Zaniolo, Giacomo Raspadori and Cristiano Biraghi expected to start.
The Azzurri host Ukraine at the Stadio Meazza in Milan tonight. It kicks off at 19:45 BST.
It’s a must-win game for the Azzurri, who have collected four points in three games and are three below tonight’s opponents in Group C, although with a game in hand.
Sandro Tonali, Leonardo Spinazzola and Ivan Provedel have not been called up, while Matteo Politano and Gianluca Mancini pulled out after Saturday’s draw against North Macedonia. The Napoli winger has been replaced by Riccardo Orsolini, who is available for tonight’s fixture.
Giorgio Scalvini is expected to replace Mancini in central defence, partnering with Alessandro Bastoni. Zaniolo and Raspadori are favourites on the wings, while Federico Dimarco will likely rest with Biraghi starting as left-back.
Gigio Donnarumma will start in goal, as confirmed by Italy coach Luciano Spalletti at a press conference on Monday.
Italy-Ukraine: Probable line-ups
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Bastoni, Biraghi; Barella, Locatelli, Frattesi; Zaniolo, Immobile, Raspadori.
Ukraine (4-4-1-1): Bushchan/Lunin; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Kryvtsov, Mykolenko; Zinchenko, Stepanenko; Tsygankov, Sudakov; Mudryk; Dovbyk.
Biraghi starting as left-back!!! Merci god can it get any worse. He can’t cross to save his life. Why was he even brought into the squad?
Yep, my comment on a Lorenzo Bettoni was once again not posted. This site has really lost the plot.
He’s benching Dimarco?!?!?! No way this can be right. And if it is we’re done.
When everybody is fit , I vote , fratessi christante sensi , although
castroveli and Pellegrini or Bonaventura can rival sensi ,and locateli can play with christante or they compete .
cristante should never go near an Italy shirt ever again!
What the heck is going on during practice 🤣
Italy is now the wet lettuce sandwich of European football.
Spalletti got the starting lineup much better this time, but his foolishness vs n. Macedonia might cost them the qualification. Tonali is strong athletically but not a playmaker, he should be used alongside frames in midfield. Verratti also needs to be put back in midfield along with locatelli. Defense is a bit worrisome
Delorenzo and Demarco are not great defenders
Only bastoni is secure