Italy 11 to start against Germany takes shape with fresh midfield surprise

The starting XI for Italy against Germany in the Nations League quarter-final is beginning to take shape, including the front two and a surprise in midfield.

It kicks off at San Siro on Thursday at 19.45 GMT, with the second leg in Dortmund on Sunday evening.

Mattia Zaccagni and Andrea Cambiaso again did not take part in training today, working separately in the gym, and it remains to be seen if they’ll be available for the decisive match this weekend.

Atalanta striker and current Serie A Capocannoniere Mateo Retegui left the camp this afternoon, as he has been diagnosed with a muscular problem, so that solves one question on who will start upfront, the role going to Moise Kean with Giacomo Raspadori.

Spalletti ready to shake up Italy side

After Alessandro Buongiorno was tested out in the three-man defence yesterday, Luciano Spalletti picked Riccardo Calafiori today, with the Arsenal man expected to play.

However, Lazio midfielder Nicolò Rovella was used for the second day in a row, suggesting he really has overtaken Torino’s Samuele Ricci in the pecking order.

Matteo Politano and Destiny Udogie are the somewhat makeshift wing-backs in a 3-5-2 formation.

Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni; Politano, Barella, Rovella, Tonali, Udogie; Raspadori, Kean