Towards Italy - Northern Ireland, the defense is a puzzle amid doubts and injuries, choices made in front

Some doubts and many hopes. Forty-eight hours before the match against Northern Ireland, the blue coach still does not have certainty about who will make up the defensive line of his Italy.

The three starters are, in fact, all under discussion. No one is certain to play. Bastoni, out since the Milan derby on March 8 due to a shin injury, underwent a test yesterday that showed encouraging signs, but the decisive test, we assume, will be this afternoon during the closed-door training.

Mancini is also out, having left at halftime of Roma-Lecce due to a calf issue. The medical examinations conducted in Florence have ruled out injuries. There is talk of muscle fatigue. The same goes for Calafiori, who entered in the last half hour of the Carabao Cup final and felt pain in his quadriceps… his condition will be assessed in the coming hours.

Yesterday's training, open to the press, was not and could not be indicative. Despite this, it was understood that Buongiorno would be the first substitute for Bastoni leading the department, Gatti the right center-back paired with Mancini, and Scalvini on the left as Calafiori's backup.

Regarding the rest of the lineup, few doubts. A three-man midfield with Barella, Locatelli, and Tonali, whose substitute would be Roma's Pisilli. Politano will occupy the right wing and Inter's Di Marco the opposite side. Palestra, Spinazzola, and Cambiasso are the other options. Up front, aside from the injured Scamacca, Kean will pair with a Retegui in great form.

Referee appointed: it will be the Dutch Danny Makkelie. Assisting him will be his compatriots Hessel Steegstra and Jan De Vries, while the Spaniard Jesús Gil Manzano will serve as the fourth official. The VAR will be operated by the Dutch Pol van Boekel and Jeroen Manschot.