Roberto Mancini confirms Italy will ‘make seven or eight changes’ against the Netherlands this evening and the return of Jorginho to the midfield is ‘fundamental.’
It kicks off in Amsterdam at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
This is the second Nations League match, as the Azzurri were held 1-1 by Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday, while Holland beat Poland 1-0.
Roberto Mancini confirms Italy will ‘make seven or eight changes’ against the Netherlands this evening and the return of Jorginho to the midfield is ‘fundamental.’
It kicks off in Amsterdam at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
This is the second Nations League match, as the Azzurri were held 1-1 by Bosnia-Herzegovina on Friday, while Holland beat Poland 1-0.
“We are up against an opponent that like us started a new project circa two years ago, they churn out so many talents, despite being a relatively small nation,” the coach told RAI Sport.
“As we saw, every game is pretty difficult nowadays. We won 11 in a row, those teams probably weren’t at the same level as Holland, but no victory is easy. Perhaps we made Italy fans a little too comfortable…
“The important thing is to remain in the top 10 rankings, but in any case, we have to go out to win every game and that must be the attitude, regardless of the competition.”
There are a few decisions that are still unclear, such as Danilo D’Ambrosio or Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right-back, Lorenzo Insigne or Moise Kean in the trident.
“Both full-backs have fresh legs, I haven’t told the lads yet, so I’m not telling you either! We will see seven or eight changes to the XI we saw against Bosnia.
“I have to decide between Insigne or Kean in that position. It’s something to take into consideration, as we only played three days ago.”
There are some guarantees, for example Chelsea midfielder Jorginho returning in place of Stefano Sensi.
“Sensi played well against Bosnia, quite aside from the goal. Clearly, Jorginho is a fundamental figure for us, just as Marco Verratti is and the others with great quality.”
Giorgio Chiellini will also start, after the bizarre incident which saw him accidentally benched in favour of Francesco Acerbi because Mancini wasn’t wearing his glasses when checking the line-up.
“It didn’t change much, to be honest, as Acerbi and Chiellini knew they would have one game each. It didn’t make all that much difference.”
Probable line-ups
Netherlands: Cillessen; Dumfries, Van Dijk, Veltman, Ake; De Roon, F De Jong, Wijnaldum; Bergwijn, Depay, Promes
Italy: G Donnarumma; D'Ambrosio, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli; Zaniolo, Immobile, Kean
Ref: Brych (GER)