Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella and defender Alessandro Bastoni are set to start for the Italian national team in their World Cup qualifying clash against North Macedonia tomorrow.
This according to today’s print edition of Milan-based newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, who report that the Nerazzurri pair will be selected by coach Roberto Mancini to start the qualifying playoff.
Barella has established himself as a key man for the Azzurri for some time, with the 25-year-old having played an important role in the starting midfield trio as the team won the Euros last summer.
Mancini is not likely to break up that trio, also including Chelsea’s Jorginho and PSG’s Marco Verratti, for tomorrow’s must-win match.
Meanwhile, Bastoni is set to start in defense alongside Lazio defender Francesco Acerbi, with the likes of Leonardo Bonucci and Girogio Chiellini not fit to start.
The Gazzetta’s complete predicted starting eleven for the match is as follows:
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Florenzi, Acerbi, Bastoni, Emerson Palmieri; Barella, Jorginho, Verratti; Berardi, Immobile, Insigne.
