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