Esposito prepares for Italy opportunity as Kean misses pre-Israel training

Francesco Pio Esposito could be in line to earn his first start for Italy against Israel in Tuesday evening’s World Cup qualifier, as Moise Kean was unable to train on Sunday and is unlikely to start in Udine according to the latest updates.

The Azzurri picked up a 3-1 win away against Estonia in World Cup qualifying on Saturday evening thanks to goals from Kean, Mateo Retegui and Esposito in Tallinn. 

Kean, who opened the scoring after just four minutes, was forced off shortly after finding the net, however, and was replaced by Esposito, who came on for just his second cap with the senior Italy side. 

According to updates on Sunday afternoon, Kean was unable to train with the rest of the Italy squad in Udine following the Estonia victory. He was taken to a separate facility for further medical checks, and according to reports from TMW, it is almost impossible that he will be fit enough to start against Israel on Tuesday. 

With Kean expected to drop out of the starting line-up, and with CT Gennaro Gattuso preferring a two-man strike partnership, it is increasingly likely that Esposito comes in for his full Italy debut on Tuesday night. He is expected to partner Retegui in a 4-4-2. 

Giacomo Raspadori is also part of the squad, but he was used out wide in a 4-4-2 against Estonia on Saturday.

Kean’s Fiorentina teammate Roberto Piccoli is a more natural option at centre-forward, but he was not even part of the matchday squad against Estonia and is therefore unlikely to overtake Esposito in the pecking order before Tuesday night.