Italy will reportedly begin their 4-2-4 experiment in Saturday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein, with an Azzurri debut for Davide Zappacosta.
According to ANSA, Giampiero Ventura tried out the ultra-attacking formation once more during Friday’s training session.
Gianluigi Buffon is set to start in goal as ever, but injuries to Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli may have forced the Coach’s hand.
Italy will reportedly begin their 4-2-4 experiment in Saturday’s 2018 World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein, with an Azzurri debut for Davide Zappacosta.
According to ANSA, Giampiero Ventura tried out the ultra-attacking formation once more during Friday’s training session.
Gianluigi Buffon is set to start in goal as ever, but injuries to Giorgio Chiellini and Andrea Barzagli may have forced the Coach’s hand.
Thus, Leonardo Bonucci and Alessio Romagnoli are expected to play at centre-back, Mattia De Sciglio on the left and Zappacosta on the right, the Torino full-back in line for his first Italy cap over Matteo Darmian.
Marco Verratti is likely to partner Daniele De Rossi in a double midfield pivot, anchoring two flying wingers in Antonio Candreva and Giacomo Bonaventura and centre-forwards Ciro Immobile and Andrea Belotti.
Italy are second in their 2018 World Cup qualifying group after two wins and a draw in three games.
Italy (probable):Buffon; Zappacosta, Bonucci, Romagnoli, De Sciglio; Verratti, De Rossi; Candreva, Immobile, Belotti, Bonaventura