Italy are expected to field Pio and Sebastiano Esposito together in attack against France, with Moise Kean a major doubt and Michael Kayode likely to retain his place at right-back.
The Nations League meeting begins at the Stade de France in Paris on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
Roberto Mancini confirmed in his press conference that Como striker Kean is not fully fit and may not even be included on the substitutes’ bench.
That would open the way for the Esposito brothers to start together after their impressive contribution to Italy’s 4-1 victory in Turkiye. Daniel Maldini is expected to complete the front three, with Giacomo Raspadori and Nicolo Zaniolo both sent home because of injury.
Italy made wholesale changes between their 2-0 defeat by Belgium and the win in Turkiye, but the likely team in Paris appears to combine elements of both line-ups.
Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Fagioli are expected to keep their places from the most recent match, while Inter midfielder Nicolo Barella could come in for Davide Frattesi. Another option would be to select Frattesi instead of Fagioli, although that would provide less creativity in midfield.
Kayode’s performance in Bursa, which included a goal, has strengthened his case to remain at right-back. That would leave Giovanni Di Lorenzo on the bench.
Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is set to return after Matteo Ruggeri made his debut. Alessandro Bastoni and Giorgio Scalvini are expected to continue as the central defensive pairing.
France also made nine changes between their victory over Turkiye and their last-minute win against Belgium.
Kylian Mbappe has left the squad after suffering a knee injury in the opening match. Adrien Rabiot of Milan and Roma midfielder Manu Kone are both expected to return to the starting XI.
Lucas Da Cunha impressed in Brussels, but the Como player is likely to begin on the bench against Italy.
Ousmane Dembele and Michael Olise are set to come back into the forward line, while Desire Doue may have done enough to keep his place.
Inter midfielder Andy Diouf and Juventus full-back Pierre Kalulu are expected to drop out. L’Equipe has suggested that Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan could also be rested, with 21-year-old Guillaume Restes in line to make his debut.
Probable line-ups
France (4-3-3): Maignan; Kounde, Upamecano, Jacquet, Truffert; Cherki, Kone, Rabiot; Olise, Dembele, Doue
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Barella, Tonali, Fagioli; Maldini, P Esposito, S Esposito
