Luciano Spalletti insists ‘nothing changes’ in the Italy tactical approach against Israel with very different players and warns this game ‘has everything to be a trap.’
It kicks off on neutral turf at the Boszik Arena in Budapest at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
The Azzurri came back from conceding the fastest goal in their history after just 14 seconds to beat France 3-1 in Paris on Friday evening.
“It is a completely different context, this game has every connotation to be a trap,” Spalletti told RAI Sport.
“It is often said that now Italy do not have this or that kind of player, but we can cover those gaps with different characteristics, as we saw the other night.”
Different Italy, but Spalletti sticks to plan
Riccardo Calafiori picked up a freak injury against France when Ousmane Dembele accidentally crashed into the back of his leg, while Lorenzo Pellegrini is also out with a muscular issue.
Raoul Bellanova replaces Andrea Cambiaso, Federico Gatti is in defence, while Moise Kean and Giacomo Raspadori are an all-new attack. How does this change Italy’s tactical approach?
“Nothing changes in our approach, we are continuing along this path. We have a perimeter of five players, three midfielders – or four, depending on the choices – and two strikers or one and a half strikers,” insisted the coach.
“That is what we are doing from now on.”