Nations League
Sep 26, 2022 7.45pm
0
2
HT : 0 1
FT
  • goal Giacomo Raspadori 27'
  • goal Federico Dimarco 52'

How Italy could line up against Hungary

How Italy could line up against Hungary

With Friday's win over England meaning their Nations League destiny remains in their own hands, Italy can snatch first place from hosts Hungary with victory at the Puskas Arena on Monday.

Aiming to make up a two-point deficit on the final day of the League A Group 3 campaign, the Azzurri are therefore set to name a full-strength lineup in Budapest - particularly as they will be absent from the big stage in Qatar this winter.

Napoli striker Giacomo Raspadori netted the decisive goal against Gareth Southgate's now-relegated side on Friday, and he is likely to be retained alongside either former Sassuolo teammate Gianluca Scamacca or Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto at the apex of a probable 3-5-2. Ciro Immobile is set to miss out again due to a thigh problem.

Roberto Mancini intimated that such a system would be employed regardless of Immobile's availability against England, and should the Italy coach persist with that setup then Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Federico Dimarco are set to keep their places on the right and left flank respectively.

With Leonardo Spinazzola and Manuel Lazzari both omitted from Mancini's initial selection, only Scamacca's West Ham United colleague Emerson Palmieri is a viable alternative out wide.

As midfield trio Marco Verratti, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Sandro Tonali have all joined Napoli winger Matteo Politano in withdrawing due to injury, late call-up Davide Frattesi made a cameo from the bench at San Siro and can now compete with Tommaso Pobega for a place in midfield.

Another area of competition is at the back, where Inter defenders Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi battle it out for inclusion to the left of captain Leonardo Bonucci.

Italy possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Toloi, Bonucci, Bastoni; Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Pobega, Dimarco; Raspadori, Gnonto

POLL
Who will win Monday's Nations League clash between Hungary and Italy?
Hungary 41%
Draw 20%
Italy 39%
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