Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Italy could line up for Friday’s Nations League clash with France.
Following a lacklustre defence of their European title, Italy kick off their new UEFA Nations League campaign with a high-profile clash on Friday night, as they meet France at Parc des Princes.
Having reflected on his side’s shortcomings during the summer – and his own tactical tinkering – head coach Luciano Spalletti has refreshed the Azzurri’s squad for this month’s games against Les Bleus and Israel.
A total of eight players that took part at Euro 2024 are absent, as Roma pair Gianluca Mancini and Bryan Cristante join Matteo Darmian and veteran midfielder Jorginho in missing out on selection.
Atalanta BC striker Gianluca Scamacca is also among them after suffering an ACL injury at the start of the season, while Inter Milan star Nicolo Barella has undergone scheduled sinus surgery during this international period.
Scamacca’s new clubmate Marco Brescianini has been called up for the first time, alongside former La Dea defender Caleb Okoli, who recently joined Leicester City; meanwhile, Nicolo Fagioli, Destiny Udogie and Moise Kean are among several men recalled by Spalletti.
Another – perhaps more surprisingly – is Sandro Tonali, who has just returned from a lengthy betting ban that ruled him out of the Euros. As he is unlikely to be handed a start in such circumstances, Fagioli, Brescianini and Inter Milan’s Davide Frattesi head the queue for selection in midfield.
As Spalletti has decided to reduce his level of tactical detail, in order to adapt to the demands of international football, he will now limit himself to either a 3-5-2 or 3-4-2-1 formation, making use of a new generation of wing-backs.
Udogie, Andrea Cambiaso and Raoul Bellanova are all in contention for places on either flank, but established names such as Federico Dimarco and Giovanni Di Lorenzo are still available if required.
Up front, with Scamacca sidelined, another Atalanta forward is favourite to lead the line on Friday evening, as Mateo Retegui has started scoring straight away since his summer switch to Bergamo.
Italy possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Fagioli, Frattesi, Dimarco; Pellegrini, Zaccagni; Retegui
> Click here to see how France could line up for Friday’s Nations League contest
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