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Gennaro Gattuso is expected to make tactical changes as Italy prepare to face Israel in Udine on Tuesday, with the Azzurri aiming to seal a World Cup playoff place.
For the first time since taking charge, Gattuso looks set to deploy a 3-5-2 formation, as per TuttoMercatoWeb.
With Alessandro Bastoni suspended, Gianluca Mancini is expected to slot in alongside Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Riccardo Calafiori in front of Gianluigi Donnarumma, who captains the side.
Andrea Cambiaso and Federico Dimarco should operate as wing-backs, while Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali are set to retain their places in midfield. Manuel Locatelli is slightly favoured over Bryan Cristante to start as deep-lying playmaker.
In attack, Giacomo Raspadori is tipped to start ahead of Pio Esposito, partnering Mateo Retegui up front following Moise Kean’s injury against Estonia.
Kick-off is scheduled for 20:45 CET at the Dacia Arena.
Italy (3-5-2) – Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Calafiori; Cambiaso, Barella, Cristante, Tonali, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui.
FIFA World Cup
