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Italy Predicted Lineup vs Spain for June 20

Luciano Spaletti’s Italy got their Euro 2024 campaign off to a winning start with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Albania in Dortmund on Saturday evening. Goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella turned the contest in the Azzurri’s favour after Albania opened the scoring with just 23 seconds on the clock, the fastest goal in the competition’s history. Next up, the Italians travel to Gelsenkirchen to face group leaders Spain, with the game kicking off at 8PM BST on Thursday, June 20. Here is your Italy predicted lineup for the clash.

Italy Predicted Lineup For Potentially Defining Spain Showdown

How Italy Have Lined Up Recently

Before Saturday’s opener, there was much debate as to whether Spaletti would start with three or four at the back, with both systems having been used in warm-up matches and the latter stages of the qualifiers.

As it was, Italy lined up in what appeared to be a 4-3-3 formation, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, protected by a defence of Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori and Federico Dimarco.

A three-man midfield consisted of Davide Frattesi, Jorginho and Nicolo Barella, whilst Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini supported striker Gianluca Scamacca.

Italy Recent Form And Tactics

An opening day win provided a welcome tonic for Italy, who traditionally come alive when it gets to the nitty gritty of a summer tournament. Indeed, a poor qualifying campaign, characterised by Spaletti tinkering with different systems in order to find a winning formula, saw the Azzurri limp over the line in second place, barely holding off Ukraine with a 0-0 draw in the final qualifying match.

Italy Injuries To Consider

Midfielder Nicolo Fagioli is expected to return to contention after missing the Albania game with a bruised fibula.

Otherwise, at the time of writing Spaletti has no fresh injury concerns to contend with.

Italy Predicted Lineup

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma

RB: Giovanni Di Lorenzo

RCB: Alessandro Bastoni

LCB: Riccardo Calafiori

LB: Federico Dimarco

RCM: Davide Frattesi

CM: Jorginho

LCM: Nicolo Barella

RW: Federico Chiesa

LW: Lorenzo Pelligrini

ST: Gianluca Scammaca.

Jack McArdle

Football Writer, passionate about Manchester United, Exeter City and Celtic. Thinks Erling Haaland is a glorified tap-in merchant. Advocate of less ex players in punditry/commentary positions, save us from Rio Ferdinand! Gloriously left footed number 10 on the five-a-side pitch. Slide rule passes of Xavi, fitness of big Dave from down the pub.