Roberto Gagliardini should be given a starting shirt in Bologna for Italy’s debut in the UEFA Nations League against Poland.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Roberto Mancini has been using the Nerazzurri player in a three-man midfield as part of a 4-3-3 formation, alongside Chelsea’s Jorginho and Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Mancini has been asking Italian clubs to play more Italian players, if they want to succeed as a nation. Clearly, Spalletti has responded, as Danilo D’Ambrosio, Matteo Politano and Gagliardini have all become important players within the squad. Gagliardini, particularly impressed in Inter’s last game against Bologna as he proved instrumental in the build up play for two of the goals.

Following his exclusion from the Champions League squad, due to financial reasons, Gagliardini will have to continue with these performances throughout the season to help the team with the fixtures before and after each group game.

Here is the most probable line up, as seen in training:

Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma, Zappacosta, Bonucci, Chiellini, Criscito, Gagliardini, Jorginho, Pellegrini, Bernardeschi, Balotelli, Insigne