News Focus
- Interim boss Davide Baldini leads an experimental Italy side with just one player over the age of 22.
- The Greek federation reportedly threatened cancellation due to Italy’s inexperienced selection.
- Pio Esposito’s goal secured a 1-0 win over Luxembourg on Wednesday.
- Atalanta’s Honest Ahanor and Genoa’s Jeff Ekhator could start for the Azzurri.
- The match kicks off at 20:00 BST and streams on Amazon Prime in the UK.
Interim Italy manager Davide Baldini aims to keep his perfect record alive when his young Azzurri team clash with Greece in a friendly match on Sunday night. The coach has picked a squad full of fresh faces. Only one member of the 24-man group is older than 22 years of age. Just four players had earned senior caps before this international window.
The Hellenic Football Federation reportedly expressed anger over Italy’s youthful approach in the build-up to this fixture. Some sources suggested the game might face cancellation. However, officials have confirmed the match will proceed as planned.
Italy head into the contest following a narrow 1-0 victory away to Luxembourg on Wednesday. Inter Milan striker Pio Esposito scored the only goal of that game. Baldini looks set to name a similar starting eleven against Greece.
Sky Sport Italia reports that Atalanta defender Honest Ahanor could come into the back line. Genoa forward Jeff Ekhator may also join the attack. Costantino Favasuli and Luigi Cherubini are the most likely players to drop to the bench.
Probable Line-ups:
Greece (3-4-2-1): Vlachodimos; Retsos, Mavropanos, Kolierakis; Vagiannidis, Mouzakitis, Kourbelis, Tsimikas; Tetteh, Tzolis; Douvikas.
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Ahanor, Comuzzo, Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Pisilli, Lipani, Ndour; Koleosho, Esposito, Ekhator.
The referee will start the match at 20:00 BST. Supporters in the United Kingdom can watch live on Amazon Prime via pay-per-view. Viewers in the United States can tune in through Fubo Sports Network, ViX or Tubi.