Luciano Spalletti is reportedly planning to completely transform the midfield as Italy host Ukraine in a EURO 2024 qualifier, potentially also changing two of the trident attack.
It kicks off at San Siro on Tuesday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
The Azzurri were held to a 1-1 draw by North Macedonia on Saturday, while Ukraine had the same result against England.
Matteo Politano and Gianluca Mancini pulled out of the squad with muscular injuries, so that makes for two changes to the starting XI at least, but Spalletti is looking at several more.
Giacomo Raspadori should replace his Napoli teammate in the trident attack, with either Mattia Zaccagni or Wilfried Gnonto completing it with Ciro Immobile.
Zaccagni trained separately from the rest of the group today, so is also not 100 per cent fit.
The biggest transformation is in midfield, where all three are expected to change, including Matteo Pessina, Manuel Locatelli and Davide Frattesi, sending Nicolò Barella, Bryan Cristante and Sandro Tonali to the bench.
The only change in defence should see Giorgio Scalvini step in for injured Mancini.
Italy (probable): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Pessina, Locatelli, Frattesi; Raspadori, Immobile, Zaccagni/Gnonto
He can’t bench Barella. That would be a mistake. It’s already a mistake having Donnarumma there.
I think that Immobile should see the bench!
This will be another draw or worse!
Can’t see what these radical changes will be. We have pretty much every available Italian from Serie A, so unless he is thinking of replacing this bunch of average players with Serie B and maybe C players I am confused.
No doubt, Immobile will be the first name on the team sheet.
Not sure changing the entire midfield is a good idea. Take Cristante out and replace him with Locatelli, and bring Raspadori in. Gatti should have been selected – better than all the CB’s in this squad as he shows the required fight as we miss Chiellini’s steel.
what happened to orsilini
Tonali should play where pirlo did
Barella cannot be taken out.
I don’t like the spalletti moves so far. This indicates panic in my opinion.
Change Cristante for sure. And Rasp should start as well as Fratesi and Vicario.
Vicario for donarumma.
Orsolini Immobile Zaniolo up top
Tonali Barella Loca midfield
DiLo Bastoni Scalvini Spina defense
This game will not end well.
I don’t think Spalletti knows what he’s doing. Immobile is a proven wasted space in offense, nothing more. And how do you select Christante who is not even a starter or plays much for Roma to deputize your midfield in that game against Macedonia?
Barella has to play but this has to be Immobile’s last chance at the big time. I know he scored against NM but he looks so gun shy when he has time to think about it. We also need to move the ball quicker in attack! It’s so obvious where we are going wrong!!!
The only change that should be made is at striker. Take immobile out, put scamacca or rasp there. Immobile hasnt been effective for italy ever.
Even belotti would be a better option.
Immobile always plays in a 3-5-2 system. He struggles in a 4-3-3 system as evident in his playing career with clubs like Dortmund and Sevilla. Same with the case in midfield and defence. Coaches plays to the players strength.