Italy face Croatia tonight in their final Group B match of Euro 2024, needing a point to ensure they qualify for the knockout stages.
After a 1-0 defeat to Spain on the second day, manager Luciano Spalletti is set to make some changes to his Leipzig side for their clash with Croatia, who need a win to guarantee a place in the last 16.
Spalletti will likely be without left-back Federico Di Marco, who limped out of training at the weekend after suffering a calf injury against Spain. The Inter star is due to undergo a fitness test on Monday morning, but if he is not fit in time his club team-mate Matteo Darmian is likely to take his place.
Roma’s Bryan Cristante is set to take up a double pivot role in midfield alongside Jorginho, allowing Nicolo Barella to play in a more attacking position behind the main striker, with Lorenzo Pellegrini expected to drop to the bench.
Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso is expected to replace Davide Frattesi on the right wing, while Genoa forward Matteo Letegui is expected to replace Gianluca Scamacca up front.
Goalkeeper Gigi Donnarumma and centre-half Riccardo Calafiori, Cristante and Pellegrini are all suspended with just one yellow card.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic is also showing signs of losing patience after the 2-2 draw with Albania. Two of the back four who started against Hamburg are likely to be dropped to the bench, with Josip Staro and Josko Gvardiol likely to keep their positions. Gvardiol could move to left-back in place of Ivan Perisic, with Lecce’s Marin Pongracic likely to take over at centre-back.
Marcelo Brozovic is likely to drop to the bench with Luka Modric and Mateo Kovacic supporting the midfielder, while Luka Susic and Mario Pasalic are expected to provide support for Andrej Kramaric up front.
Predicted starting lineup
Italy (4-2-3-1) Donnarummadarmian, Calafiori, Bastoni, Di Lorenzo; Jorginho, Cristante; Chiesa, Barella, Cambiaso; Letegui
Croatia (4-2-3-1) Livakovic, Gvardior, Pongracic, Staro, Stanisic, Modric, Kovacic, Kramaric, Susic, Pasalic, Budimir
Steve Mitchell | GIFN
