Italy predicted lineup vs Malta - Euro 2024 qualifier
By Tom Gott
Roberto Mancini will have to make some changes as Italy seek their first win of their Euro 2024 qualification campaign against Malta on Sunday.
His starters failed to impress in Thursday's 2-1 defeat to England, after which a handful of big names left the camp through injury, so there should be plenty of chances for Italy's fringe players to impress here.
Here's how the boss could set up.
Italy predicted lineup vs Malta (4-3-3)
GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma - Donnarumma is under increasing pressure from critics who believe he is yet to live up to his potential.
RB: Giovanni Di Lorenzo - A torrid evening from Di Lorenzo against England but the Napoli man deserves the chance to turn things around.
CB: Alessio Romagnoli - Italy's slow defenders struggled last time out so there should be at least one change, with Romagnoli likely to come in.
CB: Francesco Acerbi - It would be fun to see young Giorgio Scalvini given a start but Mancini will likely favour the experience of Acerbi from the start.
LB: Leandro Spinazzola - A crucial part of Italy's attacking flair when they did eventually get going, Spinazzola should start once again.
DM: Sandro Tonali - Tonali's introduction changed the game against England and the Milan midfielder should start in place of Jorginho here.
CM: Marco Verratti - Verratti was the top performer out of Italy's starters last time out so he can expect another start.
CM: Bryan Cristante - With Nicolo Barella leaving the camp through injury, Cristante will take his place in the lineup.
RW: Matteo Politano - Politano made a real impact off the bench and would likely have had a goal or two had he been crossing in towards Napoli teammate Victor Osimhen.
ST: Gianluca Scamacca - Mateo Retegui scored against England but isn't the long-term answer, so Scamacca should get more minutes to try and stake his claim.
LW: Wilfried Gnonto - Gnonto offered the sort of energy and flair that Italy were crying out for when he came off the bench. He absolutely has to start.