Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Italy could line up for Saturday’s Euro 2024 clash with Albania.
Reigning champions Italy get their Euro 2024 campaign under way on Saturday evening, when they meet Albania for their Group B opener.
The Azzurri arrive in Dortmund with several players absent from their final squad through injury, but recent concerns over a trio of midfielders have been allayed by all three taking part in training.
Fresh from scoring in Italy’s final warm-up match against Bosnia-Herzegovina, Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi is expected to feature, while Nicolo Barella – statistically La Nazionale’s most creative player in qualifying – and surprise call-up Nicolo Fagioli should both overcome minor muscular problems.
Doubts remain over Barella’s readiness to start – particularly with crucial clashes against Croatia and Spain yet to come – so Bryan Cristante may partner the vastly experienced Jorginho in central midfield.
Head coach Luciano Spalletti has extolled the virtues of tactical flexibility in recent months, but he is likely to stick with an initial back three, asking one wing-back to fill in and make up a four when required.
Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo will battle it out with Raoul Bellanova and the versatile Andrea Cambiaso for selection on the right, while Inter star Federico Dimarco is favourite to start on the left.
Destiny Udogie would also have been in the mix for the latter role, but the Tottenham Hotspur defender joins Francesco Acerbi, Giorgio Scalvini, Nicolo Zaniolo and Domenico Berardi on the sidelines due to injury; Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali is still suspended.
Therefore, several places are up for grabs, but captain Gianluigi Donnarumma certainly starts in goal, and either Gianluca Scamacca or Mateo Retegui will lead the line up front.
Italy possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Darmian, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Di Lorenzo, Cristante, Jorginho, Dimarco; Frattesi, Chiesa; Scamacca
> Click here to see how Albania could line up for this contest
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