Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Italy could line up for Thursday’s UEFA Nations League clash with Belgium.
After making a fine start to their latest UEFA Nations League campaign, just one more point would ensure Italy qualify for the quarter-finals on Thursday, when they visit Belgium in Brussels.
Topping League A Group 2 leaves Luciano Spalletti in an advantageous position, though he will be without a handful of players due to injury.
Centre-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Mattia Gabbia have been ruled out, so 19-year-old Pietro Comuzzo was called up after impressing for in-form Fiorentina; Alessandro Buongiorno is set to replace Calafiori in the back three, though.
The withdrawal of Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci means a recall for cross-city rival Manuel Locatelli, who has recently worked his way back into the Juventus team, while Lazio’s Nicolo Rovella will also provide cover for Nicolo Barella, Davide Frattesi and Sandro Tonali.
Having been sent off in last month’s reverse fixture, Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini – who served his suspension against Israel three days later – has been dropped, in addition to Raoul Bellanova, Nicolo Fagioli and Nicolo Zaniolo; starved of minutes at Liverpool, Federico Chiesa was not considered for a return.
Either Pellegrini or Giacomo Raspadori usually link the Azzurri’s midfield and attack, but Spalletti may even consider pairing two strikers who have shone in Serie A this season: Atalanta BC’s Mateo Retegui and Fiorentina marksman Moise Kean, the latter of whom netted a hat-trick last weekend.
Behind a 3-5-1-1 or possible 3-5-2 formation, captain Gianluigi Donnarumma should come back in for Guglielmo Vicario, who was offered a rare start in October’s 4-1 win over Israel. Napoli’s Alex Meret will take a place on the bench, having replaced Juve’s Michele Di Gregorio as third-choice ‘keeper.
Italy possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Raspadori; Retegui
> Click here to see how Belgium could line up for this League A Group 2 contest
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