Italy make only one change from the side that beat Poland, starting Ciro Immobile, while Portugal again look to Andre Silva in the Nations League.
It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT, follow the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
Italy make only one change from the side that beat Poland, starting Ciro Immobile, while Portugal again look to Andre Silva in the Nations League.
It kicks off at San Siro at 19.45 GMT, follow the build-up and action as it happens on the LIVEBLOG.
Roberto Mancini’s men need a win to keep their hopes of topping the Nations League group alive, but even that might not be enough, as Portugal have one final match to play against already-relegated Poland on Tuesday.
The Azzurri make just one change from the XI that won at the last minute in Poland last month, as Federico Bernardeschi is injured, so Lazio striker Immobile is drafted in.
This does force Lorenzo Insigne to return to his ‘traditional’ wide left role in the trident attack rather than as a centre-forward, with Federico Chiesa retaining his spot on the right.
Immobile has seven goals in 33 senior Italy caps, but fired blanks in his last eight appearances, last finding the net in a 1-0 World Cup qualifier against Israel in September 2017.
Cagliari youngster Nicolò Barella is again given the midfield task with Jorginho and Marco Verratti, while Giorgio Chiellini celebrates his 100th senior Italy cap – precisely 14 years to the day since his debut against Finland.
This is a totally different line-up to the one that lost in Portugal on September 10, as only Gianluigi Donnarumma, Chiesa, Jorginho and Immobile remain.
Portugal have to do without their captain, as Pepe is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards, while Andre Gomes is injured and Raphael Guerreiro carrying a muscular problem.
Milan-owned Andre Silva scored the only goal when these sides met in September and he leads the way again, having rediscovered his confidence on loan at Sevilla.
The 23-year-old has an extraordinary record with the Seleçao, scoring 14 goals in just 29 senior caps, finding the net in each of his last two games.
Silva is flanked by RB Leipzig talent Bruma, who is given the nod rather than Goncalo Guedes, and Bernardo Silva in a more advanced role.
Pizzi does start, but is moved into a deeper midfield position.
The full-backs are both Serie A representatives, Joao Cancelo of Juventus and Napoli’s Mario Rui.
Italy play the United States in a friendly on Tuesday at Genk’s Luminus Arena, Belgium.
Italy: Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Biraghi; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Chiesa, Immobile, Insigne
Italy bench: Sirigu, Cragno, De Sciglio, Gagliardini, Pellegrini, Lasagna, Berardi, Acerbi, Rugani, Politano, Emerson Palmieri, Grifo
Portugal: Rui Patricio; Cancelo, Ruben Dias, Fonte, Mario Rui; Pizzi, William Carvalho, Ruben Neves; Bruma, Andre Silva, Bernardo Silva
Portugal bench: Beto, Luis Neto, Raphael Guerreiro, Renato Sanches, Eder, Joao Mario, Danilo, Rafa Silva, Bruno Fernandes, Goncalo Guedes, Cedric,
Ref: Makkelie (NED)