Report: Pellegrini Could Get Azzurri Start

According to the latest reports out of Italy training, it looks like Roberto Mancini will employ a 4-3-3 formation on Friday against Poland. Mancini has been using the above mentioned formation in training this week and featured a trident centered around Mario Balotelli in Wednesday’s session. According to Corriere dello Sport, Mancini could look to have Lorenzo Insigne and Federico Bernardeschi flank Balotelli. However, Federico Chiesa and Andrea Belotti are candidates fo start as well.

Meanwhile, in the midfield Jorginho will almost certainly be pulling the strings in a regista role. Flanking him could be Azzurri debutant and early Capocannoniere Marco Benassi of Fiorentina, as well as, Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini. Pellegrini is currently projected to be Roma’s only representative in the starting XI.

The defense will likely feature a reunion of Juve centerbacks Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini in the middle. Domenico Criscito will likely start at leftback with Davide Zappacosta on the right. In goal, Gianluigi Donnarumma currently has the edge over Salvatore Sirigu.