Italy vs. Croatia: How the Azzurri Should Line Up in Euro 2016 Game

Italy’s upcoming match against Croatia provides perhaps the sternest test to date of the post-World Cup Azzurri. Under Antonio Conte, the team have begun to rebuild their reputation, putting their dire performances in Brazil firmly behind them.

With three wins in their opening three games, they have enjoyed a fine start to their Euro 2016 qualifying campaign, conceding just one goal thus far. Yet Sunday’s opponents have done even better, recording three clean sheets and sitting above the Azzurri atop the Group H standings.

Former player Nico Kovac watched his side demolish Azerbaijan 6-0 in their last outing, and has them looking very impressive after their own disappointments last summer. Midfielder Luka Modric called his side’s meeting with Italy “the biggest match in qualifying,” per the official UEFA website, and it is hard to argue with that assessment.

Over the following pages is a look at how Conte’s team is expected to line up, the coach once again likely to use his favoured 3-5-2 formation.

It will surprise nobody to see Gigi Buffon once again selected between the posts, the Italy captain expected to earn his 146th international cap on Sunday. He has been in excellent form this term, keeping no fewer than 12 clean sheets in 18 matches for club and country thus far.

His high-level of play is soon to be rewarded with a contract extension, with his current deal at Juventus set to expire next summer. The club’s director general Beppe Marotta is confident an agreement will be found quickly, telling La Gazzetta dello Sport this week that a renewal “is simply a formality," (h/t Fox Soccer).

If Buffon’s inclusion is expected, there is also a familiar air to those named directly ahead of him, with a number of his Juventus team-mates expected to start in defence. Unfortunately, Leonardo Bonucci will miss the match, the 27-year-old suspended following his red card in Italy’s previous match against Malta.

Giorgio Chiellini will take up his usual berth on the left, with Andrea Ranocchia expected to play on the right. The Inter captain is clearly a player admired by Conte, the coach handing him two starts in his three competitive games in charge.

Angelo Ogbonna was expected to replace Bonucci, but he has suffered a thigh injury, per the official Italian FA website. Should he be unable to play, Ranocchia would move to the middle, allowing Matteo Darmian to play on the right once again.

Vital to Conte’s preferred style of play, the two wing-back positions have taken on major significance for Italy. Injuries have hampered his choices in a key position, but it seems he will have both his first-choice options available against Croatia.

After filling in as a central defender against Malta, Torino’s Matteo Darmian is expected to return to the right flank unless Ogbonna misses out. The 24-year-old was one of the few Azzurri players to enhance his reputation in Brazil, his impact on the side discussed in greater detail here.

On the opposite flank, Mattia De Sciglio of Milan is the clear favourite to win a place in the starting XI, with Fiorentina's Manuel Pasqual his only real competition.

While there is an air of continuity to the back line, the midfield sees Conte face a number of injury problems, with some key absentees. Andrea Pirlo picked up a bruised thigh as Juventus prepared for last weekend’s meeting with Parma, and he has been joined on the sideline by Marco Verratti.

Seen as the obvious heir to his veteran team-mate, the Paris Saint-Germain star was sent home after suffering a groin strain, according to the Italian FA’s official website. With Claudio Marchisio and Daniele De Rossi almost guaranteed to start, it seems Antonio Candreva will be the third member of Conte’s central trio.

The Lazio midfielder has been in fine form in 2014-15, weighing in with two goals and seven assists in 11 appearances for the club.

The biggest story surrounding Italy’s latest squad was undoubtedly the recall of Mario Balotelli, but the striker is likely to only earn a place on the bench. Conte has placed his faith in Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza, rewarded by some excellent displays from the pair.

Both have registered their maiden Azzurri goals under the new coach, and it is believed the return of the Liverpool star will push the other forwards to be even better. Zaza told reporters this week that Balotelli’s presence “will increase competition,” among them, per Football Italia.

Graziano Pelle will also stake his claim for a place after scoring on his debut against Malta, while Stephan El Shaarawy will hope to continue his own return to form.

Predicted Italy XI (3-5-2): Buffon; Ranocchia, Ogbonna, Chiellini; Darmian, Candreva, De Rossi, Marchisio, De Sciglio; Zaza, Immobile