Italy boss Cesare Prandelli is expected to start with Christian Maggio and Alberto Aquilani in the team that will face Japan this evening.
Italy boss Cesare Prandelli is expected to start with Christian Maggio and Alberto Aquilani in the team that will face Japan this evening.
The tactician stated on Tuesday that he could make between two and four changes to the side which beat Mexico 2-1 in their opening Confederations Cup tie.
Napoli’s Maggio is being tipped to replace Ignazio Abate at right-back, while Aquilani should be picked ahead of Claudio Marchisio.
Prandelli will keep faith with the 4-3-2-1 system, one where Emanuele Giaccherini and Aquilani will be asked to support lone striker Mario Balotelli.
Italy probable: Buffon; Maggio, Barzagli, Chiellini, De Sciglio; De Rossi, Pirlo, Montolivo; Giaccherini, Aquilani; Balotelli.
Japan probable: Kawashima; Uchida, Yoshida, Konno, Nagatomo; Hasebe, Endo; Okazaki, Honda, Kagawa; Maeda.