News Focus
- Eight Italian players are set to make their senior international debuts in tonight’s match
- Gianluigi Donnarumma will captain an inexperienced Azzurri side featuring only two other capped players
- Costantino Favasuli replaces the injured Marco Palestra at right-back
- Caretaker coach Silvio Baldini faces a late decision between Davide Bartesaghi and Honest Ahanor for the left-back position
- The fixture kicks off at 9:45 PM East African Time at the Stade de Luxembourg
Italy travel to Luxembourg this evening for an international friendly under interim coach Silvio Baldini. The Azzurri will use the match to test new talent ahead of their next fixture.
Baldini plans to field a very young starting eleven. Eight players are expected to earn their first caps for the senior national team. Only three squad members have previous international experience. Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will captain the side. Forward Pio Esposito of Inter Milan and midfielder Niccolò Pisilli of Roma are the other established names.
The Italian defence faces late changes. Marco Palestra is not fully fit, so Costantino Favasuli from Benevento will start at right-back. There is uncertainty at left-back, where Baldini must choose between Davide Bartesaghi and Honest Ahanor. Italian media reports suggest Bartesaghi is likely to win the place, though some sources favour Ahanor.
The match begins at 8:45 PM Central European Summer Time. Kenyan viewers can follow the action via international streaming services or satellite channels broadcasting European football. Supporters in the United Kingdom can watch on Amazon Prime Video, while viewers in the United States can access the game through Fubo. Italian fans have coverage on Rai 1.
Both teams will employ a 4-3-3 formation. Luxembourg’s lineup includes goalkeeper Moris and attacker Thill. Italy’s next test comes on Sunday, June 7, when they visit Greece for their final match of the season.