Italy have two big doubts for World Cup play-off semi final

There are two major doubts for the Italy starting XI against Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off semi-final, which will be a 3-5-2 formation.

• Read Football Italia Ad-Free and get access to Exclusive News – Free Trial – Click Here

It kicks off at the New Balance Arena in Bergamo on Thursday at 19.45 GMT (20.45 CET).

Whoever wins will then go on to face either Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina in the final for a place at the 2026 World Cup in Canada, Mexico and the USA.

Italy plan starting XI against Northern Ireland

Coach Gennaro Gattuso confirmed today that Gianluca Mancini, Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Politano are fully fit, so the worries over their potential fitness levels after arriving from club duty carrying knocks would seem to be surpassed.

Alessandro Bastoni took part in some of the training session today, but remains a major doubt, so with the potential final coming up on March 31, it’s possible he won’t be rushed.

If the Inter defender can’t make it, then Juventus centre-back Federico Gatti or Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno are ready to step in.

The only other doubt is a tactical one, choosing between impressive Cagliari talent Marco Palestra and Napoli veteran Politano on the right wing.

Despite his fine recent form for Inter, Francesco Pio Esposito will be on the bench initially, as Moise Kean and Mateo Retegui start upfront.

Italy probable: Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Palestra, Tonali, Locatelli, Barella, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui