News Focus
- Marco Palestra misses the match due to a muscle problem
- Silvio Baldini takes charge of Italy for the first time as interim boss
- The Azzurri face Luxembourg in the first of two friendly games
- Several uncapped players will make their debuts for the senior side
- Gianluigi Donnarumma captains a youthful starting eleven
Silvio Baldini will lead Italy into battle for the first time on Wednesday night. His team travels to Luxembourg for a friendly clash at the Stade de Luxembourg. The kick-off is at 7:45 PM UK time.
This match marks the start of a new chapter for the national side. It is the first of two warm-up games under the interim coach. Italy will visit Greece on Sunday for the second fixture. Baldini has stepped up from the Under-21 setup. He has selected a squad full of fresh faces eager to prove their worth.
Veteran goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma will wear the captain’s armband. However, one exciting prospect misses out through injury. Marco Palestra suffered an adductor strain during training. The defender had been pencilled in to start. Now he will watch from the sidelines.
Sky Sport Italia reports that the 20-year-old will not be risked. This comes amid intense speculation about his future. Top clubs are reportedly preparing offers worth €50 million for his signature.
Costantino Favasuli of Catanzaro replaces Palestra at right-back. The versatile defender can operate on either flank. On the opposite side, AC Milan’s Davide Bartesaghi gets the nod at left-back.
The centre of defence features Pietro Comuzzo and Fabio Chiarodia. Comuzzo plays for Fiorentina, while Chiarodia represents Borussia Monchengladbach.
The midfield trio comes largely from the Under-21 ranks. Fiorentina’s Cher Ndour joins Sassuolo’s Luca Lipani. Niccolò Pisilli of AS Roma completes the three.
In attack, Baldini favours a 4-3-3 formation. Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito leads the line. He is supported by Luigi Cherubini and Luca Koleosho. Cherubini is owned by Roma, while Koleosho plays for Paris FC.
Probable Italy XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Favasuli, Chiarodia, Comuzzo, Bartesaghi; Ndour, Lipani, Pisilli; Cherubini, Pio Esposito, Koleosho.