Luciano Spalletti picks his final Italy starting XI against Moldova, including a debut for Fiorentina’s Luca Ranieri, with Davide Frattesi, Samuele Ricci, Federico Dimarco and Andrea Cambiaso stepping in.
It kicks off at the Mapei Stadium in Reggio Emilia at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT, 20.45 CET).
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You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog.
This is a thoroughly strange situation, as coach Spalletti already announced he has been fired during yesterday’s press conference, and this is his last game after the disastrous 3-0 defeat in Norway.
It remains a crucial 2026 World Cup qualifier and the Azzurri need to win by as many goals as possible, but at the same time know the CT is changing yet again.
FLORENCE, ITALY – OCTOBER 07: Head coach Italy Luciano Spalletti speaks with the media during press conference at Centro Tecnico Federale di Coverciano on October 07, 2024 in Florence, Italy. (Photo by Claudio Villa/Getty Images)
Verona defender Diego Coppola impressed on his debut, but is dropped to the bench, with Ranieri coming in for his first senior cap.
The midfield is largely transformed, as Cambiaso and Dimarco replace Davide Zappacosta and Destiny Udogie, while Torino’s Ricci is in for Nicolò Rovella and Frattesi gets the nod rather than his Inter teammate Nicolò Barella.
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The attack remains the same, largely through lack of alternatives, as Moise Kean is injured.
MILAN, ITALY – MARCH 20: Giacomo Raspadori reacts during the UEFA Nations League quarterfinal leg one match between Italy and Germany at Stadio San Siro on March 20, 2025 in Milan. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
Moldova have played two games in this World Cup qualifying campaign and lost both, 5-0 to Norway and 3-2 to Estonia.
Italy vs. Moldova line-ups
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Ranieri; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Ricci, Tonali, Dimarco; Retegui, Raspadori
Moldova: Avram; Baboglo, Mudrac, Dumbravanu; Platica, Ionita, Bodisteanu, Reabciuk; Caimacov, Nicolaescu, Postolachi
Ref: Schnyder (SUI)
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