Atalanta's Gianluca Scamacca is to spearhead Italy's attack against Switzerland in their Euro 2024 last 16 tie in Berlin, scene of the Azzurri's 2006 World Cup triumph, Italy camp sources said Friday.
Also starting will be Juve midfielder Nicolò Fagioli, they said.
Inter central defender Alessandro Bastoni may recover from a slight fever in time for the clash while Inter overlapping left back Federico Dimarco won't make it, coach Luciano Spalletti said Friday evening, with Inter teammate Matteo Darmian set to deputise.
Spalletti, who won Serie A with Napoli in 2022-23, has reportedly yet to decide who to play in place of suspended Bologna libero Riccardo Calafiori, a Beckenbauer like man of the match against Croatia in the final group game's 1-1 last-gasp draw thanks to Lazio winger Mattia Zaccagni's superb curling a la Del Piero 98th minute finish, perfectly teed up by a defence opening Calafiori pass.
The main threat to the Azzurri will come on either flank in the shape of speedy Monaco winger Breel Embolo and Bologna winger Dan Ndoye.
Italy are slight favourites with the bookies for the 18:00 kick-off clash at the Olympiastadion, with a likely win percentage of 40% to 28%.
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