A few hours before kick-off in Italy vs. Northern Ireland , the first World Cup play-off match, Gennaro Gattuso has released the squad list for the match at the Gewiss Stadium . There are several surprises, especially regarding those left out, with Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus) taking a seat in the stands.
Cagliari goalkeeper Elia Caprile will also face the same fate. He will watch the match from the stands alongside Diego Coppola (Paris FC), Nicolò Cambiaghi (Bologna), and the aforementioned Cambiaso. For one Cagliari player who is resting, another is hoping to make his senior national team debut after his excellent performances with the Under-21s.
Marco Palestra will most likely start on the bench. Coach Gattuso is expected to opt for the more experienced Matteo Politano (Napoli), but nothing has been decided yet. Meanwhile, the Rossoblu winger is sticking with his old habits and opting for the number 2 shirt , which he's already worn not only at Cagliari but also with Silvio Baldini 's Under-21 team.
The list of those called up:
Goalkeepers : Donnarumma (Manchester City), Carnesecchi (Atalanta), Meret (Napoli)
Defenders : Palestra (Cagliari), Dimarco (Inter), Spinazzola (Napoli), Buongiorno (Napoli), Calafiori (Arsenal), Gatti (Juventus), Scalvini (Atalanta), Bastoni (Inter), Mancini (Roma)
Midfielders : Locatelli (Juventus), Tonali (Newcastle United), Pisilli (Roma), Cristante (Roma), Frattesi (Inter), Barella (Inter)
Forwards : Retegui (Al-Qadsiah), Raspadori (Atalanta), Kean (Fiorentina), Esposito (Inter), Politano (Napoli)
The probable lineup:
Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Tonali, Locatelli, Barella, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui. Coach: Gattuso
(Unioneonline/ns)