England National team begin their road to potential Euro 2024 qualification with a difficult campaign opener against old arch-rivals Italy on March 23.
Gareth Southgate’s team will be once again aiming for revenge against the Azzurri in Naples following their penalty shootout defeat to Roberto Mancini’s men in the final of Euro 2020.
Italy team news
Mancini has the majority of his key stars available for this fixture as he looks to make up for the shock of missing out on a place at the 2022 World Cup.
PSG duo Gianluigi Donnarumma and Marco Verratti will play a key role, although Federico Chiesa is a doubt due to tendinitis issues.
Italy starting XI (3-4-3):
Donnarumma (GK) — Acerbi, Bonucci, Romagnoli — Di Lorenzo, Verratti, Barella, Pellegrini — Berardi, Raspadori, Politano
Southgate has stayed loyal to the majority of his World Cup squad, with Harry Maguire keeping his place despite a lack of regular game time at Manchester United.
England team news
Marcus Rashford had been in line to start following a superb run of form in 2023, but he withdrew from the squad on Monday after being hurt in United’s FA Cup win over Fulham. Goalkeeper Nick Pope also pulled out of the squad, citing injury, with Fraser Forster added in his place, while Mason Mount will stay with Chelsea for treatment on a problem.
England starting XI (4-3-3):
Pickford (GK) — Walker, Stones, Maguire, Shaw — Henderson, Rice, Bellingham — Saka, Kane, Grealish
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