Four possible Italy changes after Kean and Bastoni withdrawals – Football Italia

Gennaro Gattuso has two enforced changes to make and could be tempted into shuffling his tactics around as a result for the upcoming World Cup qualifier between Italy and Israel on Tuesday evening. 

The Azzurri currently sit second in World Cup qualification group I with 12 points from five matches following Saturday’s 3-1 victory away against Estonia. 

Two of Gattuso’s starters from the Estonia victory will be unable to take to the field against Estonia in Udine on Tuesday though. 

Moise Kean started, scored after four minutes but was then taken off with an injury at the beginning of the Estonia victory, and he has since withdrawn from the squad to return to Fiorentina. 

Alessandro Bastoni, meanwhile, picked up his second yellow card of the World Cup qualifying campaign against Estonia, and will now have to serve a one-match suspension during the Israel game. 

Which changes could Gattuso make for Italy vs. Israel?

Pre-match reports indicate that Gattuso will stick with a two-man strike partnership, but that he could potentially switch from a 4-4-2 to a 3-5-2 against Israel, adapting to his current available options. 

Francesco Pio Esposito is the expected replacement for Kean up front for Italy on Tuesday night, while either Gianluca Mancini or Matteo Gabbia could be brought into the defence in the absence of Bastoni. Tuttosport and Eurosport suggest that Mancini is the more likely option. 

Monday’s reports suggest that Giacomo Raspadori and Riccardo Orsolini will come out of the starting XI if Gattuso does decide to switch to a 3-5-2. That would make room for another central midfielder in either Bryan Cristante or Manuel Locatelli, and for a more natural right wing-back in either Andrea Cambiaso or Leonardo Spinazzola to come into the starting XI.