Antonio Conte has altered his formation for Italy’s crucial Euro 2016 qualifier against Croatia on Friday night.
Conte will field a 4-3-3 formation, rather than his usual 3-5-2, spearheaded in attack by Antonio Candreva, Graziano Pelle and Stephan El Shaarawy.
The Croatians sit top of Group H and know that a win against the Azzurri, who they have never lost to in a competitive match, will give them a five point cushion over their opponents and send them well on their way to next summer’s tournament in France.
The Azzurri are unbeaten since Antonio Conte succeeded Cesare Prandelli as coach after Italy exited the World Cup at the group stage, though are on an unbeaten run of 45 qualifying games with their last loss in a qualifier being against France on the road to Euro 2008.
Croatia: Subasic; Srna, Vida, Schildenfeld, Pranjic; Rakitic, Brozovic; Perisic, Kovacic, Olic; Mandzukic
Italy: Buffon, De Silvestri, Bonucci, Astori, Darmian, Parolo, Pirlo, Marchisio, Candreva, Pellè, El Shaarawy.
