HARRISON, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 24: Euro 2024 hopefuls Nicolo Barella of Italy celebrates with team-mates after scoring a goal during the International Friendly match between Ecuador and Italy at Red Bull Arena on March 24, 2024 in Harrison, New Jersey. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Italy make their debut in the World Cup qualifiers against Norway this evening with Diego Coppola expected to make his international debut against Erling Haaland and Mateo Retegui in attack.
It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Ullevaal Stadion in Oslo.
It’s the first game in the World Cup qualifiers for the Azzurri, while Norway have already taken the lead in Group I, winning their opening two matches.
Italy CT Luciano Spalletti has been forced to make several changes to the original squad, seeing Alessandro Buongiorno, Matteo Gabbia, Manuel Locatelli and Moise Kean pulling out of the squad due to injuries, while Francesco Acerbi refused to play for the national team, not feeling part of Spalletti’s project.
Hellas Verona defender Coppola, 21, is expected to make his debut in a three-man defence, joining Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Alessandro Bastoni.
Italian sources, including Sky Sport and Gazzetta, confirm that Davide Frattesi is the favourite over Giacomo Raspadori, as Spalletti will aim to keep possession for longer than Norway, keeping Haaland and his teammates as far away from the Azzurri’s box as possible.
Atalanta striker Retegui, the top scorer in Serie A in 2024-25, will lead the Azzurri attack, playing as a lone striker.
Norway vs Italy – where to watch on TV
The match is available on Amazon Prime Video in the UK and Fox Sports in the US.
Norway vs Italy – probable line-ups
Norway (4-3-3): Nyland; Ryerson, Ajer, Ostigard, Wolfe; Odegaard, Berge, Thorsby; Sorloth, Haaland, Schjeldereup.
Italy (3-4-2-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Coppola, Bastoni; Zappacosta, Barella, Rovella, Udogie; Frattesi, Tonali; Retegui.
Image:Getty
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