Roberto Mancini assures Mario Balotelli and Andrea Belotti “will be recalled when they get back into shape” as Italy try a new trident.
The international friendly with Ukraine kicks off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) in Genoa.
Despite injuries to Simone Zaza, Patrick Cutrone, Alessio Romagnoli and Danilo D’Ambrosio, Mancini refused to call in Torino hitman Belotti and Nice forward Balotelli.
Roberto Mancini assures Mario Balotelli and Andrea Belotti “will be recalled when they get back into shape” as Italy try a new trident.
The international friendly with Ukraine kicks off at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT) in Genoa.
Despite injuries to Simone Zaza, Patrick Cutrone, Alessio Romagnoli and Danilo D’Ambrosio, Mancini refused to call in Torino hitman Belotti and Nice forward Balotelli.
“The players who are out at the moment are still part of this squad and will be recalled when their fitness levels have improved,” assured Mancini on Rai Sport.
“There has always been controversy when an Italy Coach calls players or picks tactics, but that mustn’t interest us, as we need to just continue along our path.
“Balotelli and Belotti are very good and valid players, so when they get back into shape, they will be recalled. It’s not as if they’re going to be excluded forever.”
With that in mind, it’s reported tonight Italy will use the ‘lightweight’ trident attack of Federico Chiesa, Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi.
“It is possible. At this moment we have six attacking players, seeing as Kevin Lasagna just arrived and won’t take part in this game, so it is a possibility.”
It remains to be seen even there whether it would be Bernardeschi or Insigne taking the centre-forward role, although they could well rotate.
Italy (probable): Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Criscito; Verratti, Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne