Roberto Mancini decides on Leeds United ace Willy Gnonto – Italy predicted XI v England
Italy manager Roberto Mancini may be forced to shake things up for the upcoming Euro 2024 qualifier against England on 23 March and will have to make a call on Leeds United attacker Willy Gnonto.
Mancini has had to deal with several injury problems ahead of the match, including the withdrawal of captain Leonardo Bonucci due to a leg injury.
In addition, trio Federico Chiesa, Federico Dimarco and Ivan Provedel have also pulled out of the squad, with forwards Ciro Immobile and Giacomo Raspadori currently out injured.
Despite the absence of many key players in attack, Leeds winger Willy Gnonto looks set to have to settle for a spot on the bench.
He has been in fine form for his club this season, but fellow winger Vincenzo Grifo has also been shining for club and country lately.
The SC Freiburg attacker has 14 goals and six assists for the German outfit this season and scored a brace in Italy’s friendly win over Albania in November.
We predict Grifo to start at left wing in a 4-3-3 formation, with Domenico Berardi expected to operate on the right. The duo could play either side of Argentine-born striker Mateo Retegui.
Gianluigi Donnarumma is predicted to start in goals, with Alessio Romagnoli and Francesco Acerbi partnering in central defence. Full-backs Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Leonardo Spinazzola should operate at right and left-back respectively.
In a strong midfield trio, we predict PSG veteran Marco Verratti to operate in defensive midfield, with Inter star Nicolo Barella and new Arsenal recruit Jorginho playing ahead of him.
Given his recent rise and a lack of attacking options, Gnonto can be expected to play a key role off the bench, a feat he has managed in recent weeks for Leeds.
The teenager will be looking to take his performance to the next level for his country, scoring once in eight caps so far, with those numbers set to rise rapidly in the years to come.
Mancini called up 30 players for the matches against England (23 March) and Malta (26 March), but was forced to chop and change due to the withdrawals, with uncapped quartet Marco Carnesecchi, Wladimiro Falcone, Alessandro Buongiorno and Retegui all vying for minutes on the pitch.
In other Leeds United news, one Whites loanee is on the verge of a switch to MLS, with a deal expected to be confirmed shortly.
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