Nations League
Oct 6, 2021 7.45pm
1
2
HT : 0 2
FT
  • Leonardo Bonucci 30' yellowcard
  • Leonardo Bonucci 42' redcard
  • Manuel Locatelli 82' yellowcard
  • Lorenzo Pellegrini 83' goal
  • goal Ferran Torres 17'
  • yellowcard Cesar Azpilicueta 45'
  • goal Ferran Torres 45'+2'
  • yellowcard Pablo Sarabia 65'
  • yellowcard Yeremi Pino 71'
  • yellowcard Mikel Oyarzabal 89'

How Spain could line up against Italy

How Spain could line up against Italy

Spain will be without a number of key players for Wednesday's UEFA Nations League semi-final with Italy.

The likes of Pedri, Jordi Alba, Alvaro Morata, Marcos Llorente and Thiago Alcantara are all injured and unavailable for Luis Enrique this month, while Gerard Moreno and Dani Olmo are also out of contention.

Fabian Ruiz, Adama Traore and Carlos Soler will also play no part in the semi-final, and Sergi Roberto has earned a late call-up to replace the injured Brais Mendez.

David de Gea has reignited his Manchester United career but is unlikely to force his way back into the team over Unai Simon, who ought to be protected by Pau Torres and Aymeric Laporte in defence.

Cesar Azpilicueta should start at right-back with Llorente out, while Sergio Reguilon may just edge out the returning Marcos Alonso for a spot on the left-hand side of defence.

Koke and Sergio Busquets are both good to go in midfield, while Pedri's spot will most likely be filled by Real Sociedad's Mikel Merino, unless Enrique decides to take a punt on Barcelona teenager Gavi.

With no Morata to spearhead the attack, Ferran Torres could be deployed furthest forward as he has done for Manchester City, with Pablo Sarabia and Mikel Oyarzabal expected to feature out wide ahead of Llorente's replacement Bryan Gil.

Spain possible starting lineup: Simon; Azpilicueta, Torres, Laporte, Reguilon; Koke, Busquets, Merino; Sarabia, Torres, Oyarzabal

> Click here to see how Italy could line up for this clash

POLL
Who will win Wednesday's Nations League clash between Italy and Spain?
Italy 80%
Spain 20%
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