Italy vs. Northern Ireland: World Cup Play-off – Probable Teams & Broadcast Details
Alessandro Bastoni is anticipated to start for Italy in their World Cup play-off semi-final clash against Northern Ireland, with Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean leading the attack.
The match is scheduled to kick off at 20:45 CET (19:45 GMT) at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo.
This encounter marks a crucial evening for the Azzurri, who last participated in the World Cup in 2014.
Inter Milan's Bastoni, who missed two club matches due to a bruised fibula, is reportedly fit and expected to feature in a three-man defense alongside Gianluca Mancini and Riccardo Calafiori, according to Italian media outlets.
Leading Italian sports publications like Gazzetta and Corriere dello Sport suggest that Matteo Politano is favored over Marco Palestra for the right wing-back role, while Sandro Tonali, Nicolò Barella, and Manuel Locatelli are set to form the central midfield trio.
Kean and Retegui are poised to lead the attack, with Francesco Pio Esposito expected to begin the game from the substitutes' bench.
The victorious team will advance to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in an away final scheduled for Tuesday, March 31.
Where to Watch Italy vs. Northern Ireland on TV
In the UK and Ireland, the match will be broadcast live on the BBC. For viewers in the USA, a livestream is available via FUBO/Vix.
Probable Line-ups for Italy vs. Northern Ireland
Italy (3-5-2): Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui.
Northern Ireland (3-4-2-1): Pierce Charles; Hume, McNair, McConville; Spencer, McCann, Shea Charles, Devenny; Galbraith, Price; Donley.
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