The new Italy face Gonzalo Higuain’s Argentina with a 4-3-3 formation including Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Jorginho and Federico Chiesa.
This friendly kicks off in Manchester at 19.45 GMT, follow the build-up and action while giving your views on the LIVEBLOG.
The Nazionale begin a new era after failing to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958
The new Italy face Gonzalo Higuain’s Argentina with a 4-3-3 formation including Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Jorginho and Federico Chiesa.
This friendly kicks off in Manchester at 19.45 GMT, follow the build-up and action while giving your views on the LIVEBLOG.
The Nazionale begin a new era after failing to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958
With no new Coach yet chosen following Gian Piero Ventura’s sacking, Under-21 boss Gigi Di Biagio is the interim CT for friendlies against Argentina and England on Tuesday.
He opted to call 40-year-old captain Gigi Buffon, who hasn’t yet decided whether to retire at the end of the season, in goal.
Giorgio Chiellini and Alessio Romagnoli are injured, so Daniele Rugani gets the nod with Leonardo Bonucci in central defence, flanked by Alessandro Florenzi and Mattia De Sciglio.
In midfield, Jorginho is given the reins rather than Atalanta’s Bryan Cristante, alongside PSG star Marco Verratti, with Lazio veteran Marco Parolobeating out Lorenzo Pellegrini of Roma.
Ventura’s biggest error in the play-offs with Sweden was probably snubbing Napoli hero Lorenzo Insigne, but he forms a trident attack with Serie A Capocannoniere Immobile and debutant Chiesa.
The Fiorentina winger is only 20 years old, but is thrown in at the deep end for his senior Italy debut.
Argentina have to be one of the favourites for the trophy in Russia this summer, even if qualification had at times looked in doubt.
Coach Jorge Sampaoli left Juventus talent Paulo Dybala and Inter hitman Mauro Icardi at home, citing their inability to adapt to the rest of the team.
Higuain leads the attack, but Leo Messi is not risked due to a minor injury in training, so there’s a big chance for PSG man Giovani Lo Celso.
Sergio Aguero has been sent home and won’t be in the squad against Italy or Spain due to a knee injury.
Lucas Biglia of Milan and Roma defender Federico Fazio start for the Albiceleste.
Italy's shirts will contain a message for Davide Astori, the Fiorentina captain and Italy international who tragically died in his sleep. Also in his honour, nobody has taken the Number 13 jersey this evening.
Argentina: Caballero; Bustos, Otamendi, Fazio, Tagliafico; Paredes, Biglia; Lanzini, Lo Celso, Di Maria, Higuain
Argentina bench: Romero, Guzman, Mercado, Acuna, Messi, Mascherano, Perez, Rojo, Correa, Banega, Pavon, Martinez, Perotti
Italy: Buffon; Florenzi, Bonucci, Rugani, De Sciglio; Parolo, Verratti, Jorginho; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
Italy bench: Donnarumma, Perin, Darmian, Ferrari, Ogbonna, Spinazzola, Zappacosta, Bonaventura, Cristante, Gagliardini, Pellegrini, Belotti, Candreva, Cutrone, Verdi
Ref: Atkinson (ENG)