Italy CT Roberto Mancini seems set to start with Lorenzo Insigne as a ‘false nine’ in the decisive match against Northern Ireland on Monday.
The game at Widsor Park kicks off at 19.45 UK time.
Italy need a win against Northern Ireland after the 1-1 draw with Switzerland at the Olimpico, but Mancini is counting his men ahead of the big game in Belfast.
Several players have pulled out of the squad. Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Calabria, Cristiano Biraghi and Salvatore Sirigu are the latest to pull out with problems, and thus follow names like Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Nicolò Zaniolo and Giorgio Chiellini.
But the Azzurri CT has a plan, as Andrea Belotti struggled to convince in Rome. The Torino captain seems set to start on the bench, to make space for Domenico Berardi in the attacking trident.
The Sassuolo man impressed against the Swiss and is expected to continue at right on Monday night, with Lorenzo Insigne as a ‘false nine’ in the middle.
Juventus winger Federico Chiesa completes the attack, while his club teammate Manuel Locatelli will be replaced by Milan midfielder Sandro Tonali, according to the reports in Italy.
Tonali was another name who impressed during the first match and he’s the second of two changes in the probable line-up.
Italy have all to play for in Belfast, currently protecting a lead on goal difference over second-placed Switzerland in Group C. The Swiss host Bulgaria in their final game tonight.
Probable line-ups: Northern Ireland vs. Italy
Northern Ireland (3-5-2): Peacock-Farrell; McNair, J. Evans, Cathcart; Dallas, McCann, Davis, Saville, Ferguson; Washington, Magennis
On the bench: Hazard, Southwood, Bradley, Lewis, Flanagan, McGinn, Taylor, C. Evans, Jones, Whyte, Gailbraith, Brown
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bonucci, Acerbi, Emerson; Barella, Jorginho, Tonali; Berardi, Insigne, Chiesa
On the bench: Cragno, Meret, G. Ferrari, G. Mancini, Zappacosta, Cristante, Locatelli, Pessina, Belotti, Bernardeschi, Raspadori, Scamacca
I want to share statistics for Italy’s last eight matches, from the EURO 2020 knock-out stage against Austria, to the last match against Switzerland in Rome in the WC 2022 qualifying round.
In normal time 90+ mins, Italy recorded 3 wins, 6 draws and 1 loss. Conceded 8 goals, and made 14 goals.
Victory was won against Belgium twice (once in an unimportant match, UNL third place), then another victory against a weak team Lithuania, really scary isn’t it?
The rest ended in a draw, even against Bulgari at home, Italy could only draw, one defeat to Spain which is filled with their young generation also occurred at home. With statistics like these, I feel it is normal that Italy must bleeding until the last match in Belfast against Northern Ireland, even I would not be surprised if they were thrown into the play-offs
Italy haven’t improved since the draw against Bulgaria, Mancini firmly believes in the same squad over and over again, and used the same formation over and over again.
Italy has a lot of talented midfielders, but lacking pure strikers, he has to try a new formation, his defenders are worrying too, but still he plays them after many mistake they made.
So if Italy tonight fails to qualify directly for Qatar, then this is a valuable lesson for Mancini and his staff, so that they improve this team and improve their quality, if they later qualify and want Italy to achieve maximum results in Qatar 2022.
Remember that since 2010, Italy has never been out of the group stage, so not only failing to qualify for the world cup is his homework, but making Italy advance to the knockout stages.
Has Mancini improved?
Tonight we will see it.
Spot on Romano, this team is playing too arrogant and I don’t like ,it where’s the energy, the tenacity ?. What was all that noise about wearing the same jersey and being in the same locker room when they beat Switzerland in the summer? 🙄 just get on with it! Basta with these superstitions , when I saw that I had a feeling smthg was off and now it comes down to this game in N.I who I believe have only allowed one goal to be scored on their turf.
Also are they not better players we can call up besides acerbi, Emerson ?? C’mon Spain starts an 17 yr old in midfield and we’re still scared to call up/play our groms in the N.T
Play-offs here we come. Knowing our luck we’ll have to play Portugal
For me, Calabria should now be starting over Di Lorenzo and the speculated front 3 for tonight’s game would get my vote too.
People speak of Locatelli being off the pace on Friday but with Barella coming off an injury I thought he looked more sloppy and I would therefore give Locatelli another go with Tonali alongside Jorginho. Barella can be used as an impact player later the game.
My line up would be
Donnarumma
Calabria
Bonucci
Acerbi
Emerson
Tonali
Jorginho
Locatelli
Insigne
Berardi
Chiesa
He’ll probably go
Donnarumma
Di Lorenzo
Bonucci
Acerbi
Emerson
Tonali
Jorginho
Barella
Insigne
Chiesa
Berardi
Hopefully we don’t have to go to the bench for a result. I know we have some injuries but that bench is D grade at best. Don’t feel confident. Playoffs here we come.
Calabria already out because injured
Well for me, not from Squad that already he called up, from other option that Italy had in Serie-A
Donnarumma
Darmian
Bonucci (c)
Bastoni
Di Marco
Jorginho
Tonali
Pessina
Chiesa
Insigne
Berrardi
RELAX EVERYONE!
1) Italy will easily beat NI, OR
2) Italy are European Champions. FIFA badly needs them in Qatar. So, we will see some big helping hand from the referee and VAR. If things are not going well, may be two penalties, OR
3) Even if they fail to take the chances in 2 above and end up in the play offs, they will get the easiest draw, because of No. 2 above
i cant see NI holding out on Italy we will score at least 3 tonoght and cruise to the WC finals
Guys I’m warning everybody here:
(1.) Italy will tie tonight. Forget about scoring three. We don’t know how to score. NI will hold us to a draw at best.
(2.) Switzerland will score at least two maybe three on Bulgaria.
(3.) Italy won’t make the next World Cup either.
Mancini’s tactics heavily depend on a few key movements:
1. Left-back [Spinazzola/Emerson] will occupy final third and keep opponent defensive midfielder in their half
2. Left-wing [Insignie] will move to the left half and make a direct run to the box or unleash his curlers from the edge of the box
3. Center forward [Immobile] will occupy one of the stopper backs and drift him away by positioning
4. Right-wing [Chiesea/Berardi] will make a surprise run to the box and get into shooting position
5. Attacking midfielder [Barella/Pellegrini] will overload the box and chase the loose ball and shoot
6. Center midfielders [Jorzinho/Verratti] will keep possession and while the opposition is in attack, Jorzinho will use a triangle pass to launch a quick attack after recovering the ball
7. Two center backs [Chiellini/Bonucchi] and right back [De Lorenzo] will form 3 men defence and one of the defenders [Chiellini] man-mark the opposition striker in the box
This Italian team is really struggling for creativity and pace upfront. Spinazzola really did make the difference at the Euros and now we are found wanting. Not sure if Kean is injured but he woudl have to play when fit.
Scamozza needs a chance as Belotti simly can’t cut it. Raspadori needs mroe than 10 minutes in a game.
I am disappointed with Mancini and his loyalty to certain players…he needs to make some big changes.