The Lions won five and drew three of their 10 Group J matches to finish runners-up to Germany, and even beat the illustrious four-time world champions 2-1 a year ago in their own back yard. North Macedonia continue to ride the crest of the wave that took them to their first major tournament finals at Euro 2020 last summer. Naturalised Brazilian Luiz Felipe earns a first call up in defence, where stalwarts Giorgio Chiellini and Lenardo Bonucci continue to defy their advancing years. The Azzurri contrived to draw four of their final five qualifiers to finish as Group C runners-up to Switzerland and enter the nerve-shredding playoffs.Ĭoach Roberto Mancini has kept faith with Ciro Immobile, Andrea Belotti and Lorenzo Insigne who performed so well last summer. Italy have won only two of their last seven games and are in serious danger of failing to qualify for a second successive World Cup having missed out four years ago for the first time since 1958. Ex-Leeds left-back Ezgjan Alisoki starts at left-back, but up-and-coming midfield schemer Elif Elmas misses out.
Levante midfielder Enis Bardhi captains North Macedonia, who start with youngster Milan Ristovski up front alongside Aleksandar Trajkovski, who has scored 19 goals for his country. Chelsea midfielder Jorginho starts in midfield for the European champions with Gianluca Mancini and Alessandro Bastoni starting ahead of experienced pair Giorgio Chiellini and Antonio Bonucci at centre-back.
The teams are in and Italy will start with a front three of captain Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Berardi. Watch anywhere: Try ExpressVPN (opens in new tab) risk-free
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