Italy CT Roberto Mancini seems set to make some changes to the starting line-up against Switzerland, with Giorgio Chiellini and Manuel Locatelli set to start in Basel.
The match kicks off at 19.45 UK time at St Jakob Park in Basel.
The 1-1 draw against Bulgaria is forgotten and the Azzurri need another positive result against rivals Switzerland in the World Cup Qualifiers.
It will be a different team from the EURO 2020 meeting, as Vladimir Petkovic stepped down after seven years in charge to take over Girondins de Bordeaux.
Murat Yakin has replaced him at the helm and Mancini can expect a different challenge from the group stage game at the Euros.
Italy chase the 36th consecutive positive result and continue their streak of unbeaten games, and Mancini could make some changes from the team that drew with Bulgaria last time.
Napoli full-back Giovanni Di Lorenzo should start at right-back, with Giorgio Chiellini returning to the starting XI next to Leonardo Bonucci. Emerson Palmieri is expected to start at left.
In the middle, Manuel Locatelli should start over Marco Verratti, who struggles with a knee injury. Nicolò Barella and Jorginho are expected to complete the midfield trident.
Ciro Immobile is confirmed up front, with Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa.
Italy (probable): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
My respect for Mancini is starting wane,
If he thinks he has no one else who can replace dozzy immobile,
Why is Zaniolo or Kean not starting?
To be fair he doesn’t. Immobile is a monster at club level, and although he has failed time and again for the Azzuri, it’s hard to put him aside for a nobody.
I mean, we know Belotti ain’t much better, and that was before his Covid days! Since then he’s been even worse. Who else? Caputo is old and hasn’t played for almost a year. Raspadori is too green, it’s impossible for him. The likes of Scamacca and Kean need to prove themselves at club level first.
Only argue one can make is maybe to play with a false 9, and it did somewhat work against Spain at Euros. Insigne did well there, and it brings others like Chiesa and Berardi more into the game, plus there will be more coverage and back-tracking at left wing since Insigne doesn’t do that much.
Milan fan@
I wouldn’t call Ciro a monster but he’s good against small teams that give him enough time on the ball which builds up his confidence but useless against the international teams that give him no time at all,
A professional footballer once told me that if a striker continously gets flagged offside like Ciro does he is not focused on his surroundings,
I would rather see Italy lose without dozzy immobile knowing that he would not have made a blind bit of difference if he was playing but a least we learn where we stand with our squad of strikers
I’m just glad that AC
have stayed well clear of him over the yrs.
Why do these comments still mention kean he is the worst so bad that PSG sent him to juve for free. Scamacca, zaccagni, petagna can alternatives, immobile will improve with Sarri. They need to play more italian youth in friendlies to try out like esposito, pobega.