Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella and defender Alessandro Bastoni are set to drop to the bench in the Italian national team’s friendly clash with Turkey on Tuesday.
This according to today’s print edition of Rome-based newspaper La Repubblica, who report that the pair will be rested after having started in the Azzurri’s 1-0 loss against North Macedonia on Thursday.
Barella has been one of Italy’s key men for some time, having starred at the Euros as the team won the competition, whilst Bastoni has also been playing his way into a starting role with the likes of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini being phased out.
Both of the Nerazzurri duo started against North Macedonia, though they were disappointed as the team slumped to a 1-0 defeat which ensured that they will miss out on the World Cup.
Both players will be given a rest as coach Roberto Mancini is likely to turn to Bryan Cristante, Sandro Tonali, and Matteo Pessina in midfield, and Chiellini as well as Francesco Acerbi in defense.
