Likely starting line-up for Italy’s World Cup qualifiers unveiled

Indications have shown that Italy may maintain the starting line-up used for their World Cup qualifiers against Northern Ireland.

Although the Azurrri, who have failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, changed their schedule ahead of Tuesday’s World Cup play-off in Bosnia.

According to reports, Gennaro Gattuso is not inclined to change his starting eleven for the action that kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica on Tuesday, March 31, at 19.45 UK time.

Having laboured to a 2-0 victory over Northern Ireland in Thursday’s semi-final in Bergamo, Italy, they are preparing for the Bosnia trip, but their travelling has been delayed because of the pitch in Zenica.

It was gathered that the pitch is so bad that they fear two teams training on it will only cause further damage.

The situation is made worse by the weather conditions, which came as a result of heavy rain and even snow on Saturday.

This led UEFA to let them remain at the Coverciano camp on Sunday. 

Sky Sport Italia suggests that Mateo Retegui could again be preferred to Inter striker Francesco Pio Esposito, and Matteo Politano chosen ahead of Marco Palestra.

Meanwhile, Gianluca Scamacca is back in training after missing the semi-final with a muscular issue.

Alessandro Bastoni has also overcome the knock to his ankle that made him a doubt for the Northern Ireland match.

The other department seems to have decided, as no one would want to change a winning team.

Italy is the highest-ranked nation in the world not to have a spot at the 2026 FIFA World Cup yet.

Having finished second behind Norway in their qualification group, they were condemned to the play-offs for the third tournament cycle in a row.

This is therefore the last opportunity for them to secure the spot at the mundial, and all hope lies on the current squad and Gatusso to get the job done.