Interim Azzurri CT Luigi Di Biagi goes for his preferred 4-3-3 formation for today’s international friendly with Argentina.

Words: Elio Salerno

Interim Azzurri CT Luigi Di Biagi goes for his preferred 4-3-3 formation for today’s international friendly with Argentina.

Words: Elio Salerno

It has been a dark few months for Italian football, failure to qualify for this summer’s World Cup was followed by an embarrassing inability to elect a new president of the Italian football federation. These issues on and off the pitch have divided Italian football but calcio has been re-united recently in the most tragic of circumstances. The loss of Davide Astori has rendered everything else insignificant and the former Fiorentina captain will be at the forefront of everyone’s mind as the players step onto the pitch tonight.

Italy’s lackadaisical approach to friendlies is well known, but the motivating factors are there for the coach and players. After everything that’s happened recently we can expect no less than 100 per cent application from all involved.

With so much uncertainty surrounding the Italy camp it is unclear how much we learn about them from these up and coming friendlies. However, the team selection is a positive one and it’s a team that looks set to have a go at Argentina.

Defence

The core of Italy’s back four will have a familiar feel to it, with the returning Gianluigi Buffon set to start in goal with Daniele Rugani and Leo Bonucci in front of him.

The centre-backs will play an important role in facilitating Italy’s build up from deep, and with no obvious target for direct balls from back to front we will almost certainly see Italy attempt a passing game.  In a refreshing change, Di Biagio is opting for two attacking and dynamic full-backs in the shape of Alessandro Florenzi and Mattia De Sciglio.

Both will be required to stretch the pitch and give Italy width in possession, allowing extra flexibility for the attackers. It will be important for the Azzurri to get good numbers in attacking areas if they are to take advantage of having Florenzi and De Sciglio in the side.

Out of possession the defence will have the obvious threats from Argentina to deal with, expect a narrow back four to be protected by compact midfield block; turning the 4-3-3 into a 4-5-1 of sorts.

Midfield

The midfield selections are certainly the most intriguing part of this Italy XI.

Napoli’s Jorginho starts tonight, despite reports Bryan Cristante would get his second cap alongside Marco Verratti, and Lazio’s Marco Parolo completing the trio.

A general in the midfield of the park, he will help bring balance to the side and take the burden of creativity off Verratti. Parolo’s engine will be useful box-to-box and he will add numbers going forward as a late runner from the centre of the pitch.

Attack

Fans of La Nazionale have been crying out for a front-three, and Di Biagio is happy to oblige.

Lorenzo Insigne will play in his familiar role from the left, with the Napoli man enjoying a role similar to that which he plays in Serie A. With Verratti and Jorginho in close proximity, this should help bring the best out of Insigne.

Through the middle, Ciro Immobile has a point to prove. The Lazio forward is in incredible form, cracking the 30 goal barrier already, but the jury is out on him in an Italy shirt. Used as part of a front-two under Giampiero Ventura, it clearly stifled his game. Immobile is more than capable of assisting in the build-up, but he favours going toward goal and causing defensive issues with his sharp, intelligent movement.

Completing the attack is Federico Chiesa, ready to snap up this opportunity in his senior debut at the age of 20. He is preferred to off-form Inter winger Antonio Candreva, who brings experience and little else to the table so far this season, having failed to score a single goal.

Both Chiesa and Insigne will roam in attacking areas to add variety to the play; so the attack certainly has the potential to be expansive and exciting.

An energetic front-three should see Italy press Argentina as they play out, the best way to stop Gonzalo Higuain and co is to prevent them getting the ball. Locking Argentina in and making their play predictable should restrict Jorge Sampaoli’s men and force turnovers in possession.

Bygaby

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