Bernardeschi False 9 for Italy

By Football Italia staff

Italy are expected to use Federico Bernardeschi as a False 9 with Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Chiesa in the friendly against Ukraine.

It kicks off at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris in Genoa on Wednesday at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).

According to the latest reports, Roberto Mancini will retain his 4-3-3 formation even after losing Simone Zaza and Patrick Cutrone to injury.

As there is a Nations League match coming up against Poland next week, Lazio striker Ciro Immobile is likely to be kept on ice.

Instead, versatile Juventus figure Bernardeschi could be used as a False 9 at the centre of a trident attack, flanked by Napoli star Insigne and his ex-Fiorentina teammate Chiesa.

In midfield, Marco Verratti makes his return to the Nazionale with Jorginho and Cagliari’s 21-year-old Nicolò Barella.

Alessandro Florenzi is back from injury at right-back, with Cristiano Biraghi of Fiorentina on the left, reuniting Juventus pair Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci in the centre.

Mancini already confirmed Gianluigi Donnarumma of Milan will be in goal.

Italy (probable): Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Biraghi; Verratti, Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Bernardeschi, Insigne

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