Davide Frattesi of Italy gestures during the UEFA Nations League A soccer match Italy vs Israel in Udine, Italy, 14 October 2024. EPA-EFE/DAVIDE CASENTINI
Luciano Spalletti picks his final Italy starting XI against Moldova, including a debut for Fiorentina’s Luca Ranieri, with Davide Frattesi, Samuele Ricci, Federico Dimarco and Andrea Cambiaso stepping in.
It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).
You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
This is a thoroughly strange situation, as coach Spalletti already announced he has been fired during yesterday’s press conference, and this is his last game after the disastrous 3-0 defeat in Norway.
It remains a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier and the Azzurri need to win by as many goals as possible, but at the same time know the CT is changing yet again.
Verona defender Diego Coppola impressed on his debut, but is dropped to the bench, with Ranieri coming in for his first senior cap.
The midfield is largely transformed, as Cambiaso and Dimarco replace Davide Zappacosta and Destiny Udogie, while Torino’s Ricci is in for Nicolò Rovella and Frattesi gets the nod rather than his Inter teammate Nicolò Barella.
The attack remains the same, largely through lack of alternatives, as Moise Kean is injured.
Moldova have played two games in this World Cup qualifying campaign and lost both, 5-0 to Norway and 3-2 to Estonia.
They have Cojocaru and Rata suspended for this match.
Italy vs. Moldova line-ups
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Ranieri; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Ricci, Tonali, Dimarco; Retegui, Raspadori
Italy bench: Meret, Carnesecchi, Coppola, Rovella, Gatti, Orsolini, Maldini, Udogie, Casadei, Rugani, Lucca, Barella
Moldova: Avram; Baboglo, Mudrac, Dumbravanu; Platica, Ionita, Bodisteanu, Reabciuk; Caimacov, Nicolaescu, Postolachi
Moldova bench: Straistari, Cojuhar, Bors, Posmac, Dros, Motpan, Damascan, Motoc, Stefan, Stina, Perciun, Bitca
Ref: Schnyder (SUI)
Image:Getty
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