Italy test a new 3-4-3 formation with a completely revamped defence against Alvaro Morata’s Spain in tonight’s friendly.
It kicks off at the Dacia Arena in Udine at 19.45 GMT, follow the build-up and action on our LIVEBLOG.
If you are in the UK, then you can watch it streamed live on Bet365. Click here for more details.
Italy test a new 3-4-3 formation with a completely revamped defence against Alvaro Morata’s Spain in tonight’s friendly.
It kicks off at the Dacia Arena in Udine at 19.45 GMT, follow the build-up and action on our LIVEBLOG.
If you are in the UK, then you can watch it streamed live on Bet365. Click here for more details.
Antonio Conte warms up for Euro 2016 with this huge test against the reigning Champions of Europe, experimenting a new 3-4-3 formation.
There are numerous injury problems, missing the likes of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli, Marco Verratti, Claudio Marchisio and Mattia Destro, while Sebastian Giovinco and Andrea Pirlo are on MLS duty.
It is therefore a totally new back three with Matteo Darmian of Manchester United and Fiorentina’s Davide Astori flanking Leonardo Bonucci.
Thiago Motta got his first call-up since the 2014 World Cup and is thrown straight into the starting XI, while Antonio Candreva, Graziano Pellè and Eder complete the trident attack.
Spain do not risk Sergio Busquets due to an injury, but start Juventus hitman Morata in their 4-3-3 system.
Aritz Aduriz is given a chance to shine at the age of 35, as he has scored 31 goals in 48 competitive games for Athletic Bilbao this season.
Aduriz only has one other senior Spain cap in his career and that was all the way back in October 2010.
It’s a pretty even record between these nations with 12 Spanish wins, 11 draws and 10 Italian victories.
The Azzurri have the upper hand in goals scored with 47 compared to 46.
Italy have not beaten Spain since a 2-1 friendly in August 2011, managing a 1-1 draw (the Euro 2012 group phase) and 4-0 defeat in the Final of that tournament.
There was also a draw in the 2013 Confederations Cup semi-final, going to Spain on penalties, before a 1-0 Madrid friendly loss in March 2014 decided by Pedro.
The Azzurri have won just one of their last 10 meetings with La Furia Roja, along with five draws after 90 minutes and four defeats.
Italy: Buffon; Darmian, Bonucci, Astori; Florenzi, Thiago Motta, Parolo, Giaccherini; Candreva, Pellé, Eder
Italy bench: Perin, Sirigu, Acerbi, Antonelli, De Silvestri, Ranocchia, Rugani, Jorginho, Montolivo, Soriano, Bernardeschi, Bonaventura, El Shaarawy, Insigne, Okaka, Zaza
Spain: De Gea; Juanfran, Sergio Ramos, Piqué, Azpilicueta; Fabregas, San José, Thiago Alcantara; Mata, Morata, Aduriz
Spain bench: Casillas, Rico, Bartra, Koke, Paco Alcacer, Pedro, Jordi Alba, Mario Gaspar, David Silva, Isco, Nolito, Sergi Roberto