How Italy could line up against North Macedonia

Italy boss Roberto Mancini is facing a defensive dilemma ahead of Thursday's World Cup 2022 playoff semi-final with North Macedonia in Palermo.

Juventus duo Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini have both been called up to the squad, but the experienced centre-backs have both had their injury woes recently and may be spared for a potential playoff final.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo has also been forced to pull out with a knee injury, so Alessandro Florenzi could join a youthful centre-back pairing of Alessandro Bastoni and Gianluca Mancini.

Gianluigi Donnarumma has not covered himself in glory for Paris Saint-Germain recently but is sure to get the nod in goal, as Emerson Palmieri takes his place at left-back.

Marco Verratti was forced to miss November's fixtures with a hip injury but is back to displace Sandro Tonali in midfield, with Jorginho and Nicolo Barella completing the engine room.

With Federico Chiesa and Federico Bernardeschi both recovering from their issues, Sassuolo's main man Domenico Berardi should get the nod on the right-hand side of the attack.

Fellow Serie A stars Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne should complete the front line for the European champions, although the former has failed to score in his last six international matches.

Italy possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bastoni, Mancini, Emerson; Jorginho, Barella, Verratti; Berardi, Immobile, Insigne