Riccardo Montolivo will reportedly return to the Italy XI for Giampiero Ventura’s debut at the helm against France this evening.

According to ItaSportPress.it, Ventura will stick with Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 formation for the 20:00 BST kick-off in Bari but make three distinct changes to the side that was considered first choice at Euro 2016

They are said to begin in defence, where Daniele Rugani replaces Leonardo Bonucci, the latter named a substitute after returning to the squad from his leave on personal grounds.

Riccardo Montolivo will reportedly return to the Italy XI for Giampiero Ventura’s debut at the helm against France this evening.

According to ItaSportPress.it, Ventura will stick with Antonio Conte’s 3-5-2 formation for the 20:00 BST kick-off in Bari but make three distinct changes to the side that was considered first choice at Euro 2016

They are said to begin in defence, where Daniele Rugani replaces Leonardo Bonucci, the latter named a substitute after returning to the squad from his leave on personal grounds.

Marco Verratti is thrown straight back into midfield, having missed the France showpiece through injury, but his return is considered not as surprising as that of Montolivo, who did not make Conte’s 23-man squad for the tournament.

France are also expected to be slightly different from the European Championship, goalkeeper Benoit Costil, debutant right-back Sebastien Corchia – of Italian ancestry – and left-back Layvin Kurzawa the players tipped to enter the fold.

Italy (probable): Buffon; Rugani, Barzagli, Chiellini; Florenzi, Parolo, Montolivo, Verratti, De Sciglio; Pelle, Eder.

France (probable): Costil; Corchia, Koscielny, Umtiti, Kurzawa; Kante, Cabaye, Pogba; Griezmann, Giroud, Payet

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