Italy take on Holland in the Under-21 European Championship semi-final this evening with Lorenzo Insigne and Fabio Borini in the starting XI.
The Azzurrini take to the field in Petah Tikva at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT). The winners take on Spain in the Final, who beat Norway 3-0.
Italy take on Holland in the Under-21 European Championship semi-final this evening with Lorenzo Insigne and Fabio Borini in the starting XI.
The Azzurrini take to the field in Petah Tikva at 19.30 UK time (18.30 GMT). The winners take on Spain in the Final, who beat Norway 3-0.
Insigne is fit to start despite being stretchered off in agony during the 4-0 group phase win over hosts Israel, as the bruising on his ankle has gone down.
Riccardo Saponara is only on the bench after picking up a muscular problem in training yesterday. Juventus” data-scaytid=”11″>Juventus midfielder Luca Marrone is injured, but surprisingly named on the bench.
Liverpool striker Borini is surprisingly picked in place of Manolo Gabbiadini to partner Ciro Immobile.
Italy are still unbeaten in the tournament, beating England and Israel with a 1-1 draw against Norway.
Holland won both their opening games with Germany and Russia before completely changing their starting XI for a 3-0 defeat to Spain.
Coach Cor Pot was playing the long game and here returns to his first choice side, although Bram Nuytinck is out with a knee injury.
There are several players in the Dutch team with senior caps, including Kevin Strootman, Bruno Martins Indi, Luuk de Jong and Jordy Clasie.
These teams already met in a friendly in August 2012, Mangia’s men winning 3-0 on his debut with goals from Insigne, Ciro Immobile and Alessandro Florenzi.
Both nations are successful in this tournament, as Italy won a record five times, while the Netherlands took the trophy in 2006 and 2007.
Italy U21: Bardi; Donati, Caldirola, Bianchetti, Regini; Florenzi, Verratti, F Rossi, Insigne; Immobile, Borini
Italy bench: Colombi, Capuano, Biraghi, Marrone, Crimi, Paloschi, Bertolacci, N Sansone, Saponara, Gabbiadini, Destro
Holland U21: Zoet; Van Rhijn, De Vrij, Martins Indi, Blind; Van Ginkel, Strootman; Wijnaldum, Maher, John; L De Jong
Holland bench: Bizot, Van Aanholt, Van Der Hoorn, Nuytinck, Clasie, Leerdam, Fer, Trinidade De Vilhena, Jozefzoon, Hoesen, Depay
Ref: Haţegan (ROU)