Gabriel Paletta and Diego Costa get their international debuts in tonight’s prestigious Spain-Italy friendly in Madrid.
It kicks off at 21.00 GMT at the Vicente Calderon stadium, used by Atletico Madrid.
Gabriel Paletta and Diego Costa get their international debuts in tonight’s prestigious Spain-Italy friendly in Madrid.
It kicks off at 21.00 GMT at the Vicente Calderon stadium, used by Atletico Madrid.
Cesare Prandelli is forced into numerous changes in this warm-up match for the 2014 World Cup, as Mario Balotelli and Giuseppe Rossi are injured.
Daniele De Rossi is dropped after breaking the code of ethics, as he received a three-game Serie A ban when he was caught on camera punching Mauro Icardi.
Parma defender Paletta is given his Italy debut, having chosen to play for the Azzurri despite being born and raised in Argentina.
He’s not the only ‘Oriundo’ in the starting XI, as Brazil-born Thiago Motta is in midfield with Claudio Marchisio and Riccardo Montolivo.
Andrea Pirlo is rested and Giorgio Chiellini not 100 per cent fit, but there is an all-new trident in the 4-3-3 system.
Juventus striker Daniel Osvaldo, on loan from Southampton, is flanked by Lazio’s Antonio Candreva and Torino wide man Alessio Cerci.
Prandelli could well give Ciro Immobile his senior Italy debut in the second half.
Spain are reigning World and European Champions who beat the Azzurri in the Euro 2012 Final.
They too are making some changes, as Diego Costa is given his debut after the Atletico Madrid striker turned down Brazil to play his international football for La Roja.
Thiago Alcantara of Bayern Munich starts in midfield against Italy, the country he was born in when his Brazilian father Mazinho was playing for Lecce.
Javi Martinez is at centre-back with Sergio Ramos in an unusual defence.
These nations drew 0-0 in the Confederations Cup in June 2013, Spain winning on penalties.
Italy have only won one of their nine friendlies played on Spanish soil, 3-1 in Madrid in March 1949, drawing three and losing five.
Spain: Casillas; Azpilicueta, Javi Martinez, Sergio Ramos, Alba; Busquets, Thiago Alcantara; Pedro, Fabregas, Iniesta; Diego Costa
Spain bench: Victor Valdes, Reina, Albiol, Juanfran, Xavi, Negredo, Xabi Alonso, Koke, Santi Cazorla, Silva, Navas
Italy: Buffon; Maggio, Paletta, Barzagli, Criscito; Marchisio, Thiago Motta, Montolivo; Candreva, Osvaldo, Cerci
Italy bench: Sirigu, Perin, Chiellini, Abate, Immobile, Gilardino, Astori, Parolo, Insigne, Bonucci, De Sciglio, Pirlo, Destro, Giaccherini, Verratti