With the defence of their European title looming large, Italy will begin the run-in to Euro 2024 with a home friendly against Turkey on Tuesday.
The reigning champions are set to meet Bosnia-Herzegovina for a final warm-up at the weekend, but first they head from the Coverciano training centre to Bologna, where head coach Luciano Spalletti must begin to make some difficult decisions.
The former Napoli boss still needs to cut two more players from his initial squad, even after Inter Milan defender Francesco Acerbi recently withdrew due to a groin problem that requires surgery and Atalanta BC's Giorgio Scalvini sustained a serious knee injury last weekend.
Aston Villa loanee Nicolo Zaniolo also joins Domenico Berardi and Destiny Udogie on the Azzurri's injured list; suspended Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali also misses out this summer.
Somewhat unexpectedly, Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli - who recently returned from a shorter betting ban than Tonali's - was selected ahead of clubmate Manuel Locatelli, while former captain Ciro Immobile was also omitted after a below-par season for Lazio.
Vying with Mateo Retegui to replace Immobile as Italy's main striker, Gianluca Scamacca is set to miss Tuesday's game due to his involvement in a rescheduled Serie A match against Fiorentina on Sunday evening.
Therefore, Retegui should start up front at Stadio Dall'Ara, but the shape of Spalletti's starting XI is less certain. During a brief training camp, he trialled two different tactical setups: 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1.
Both Alessandro Buongiorno and Riccardo Calafiori will hope impressive Serie A seasons can catapult them into Italy's back line for the Euros - particularly with Acerbi sidelined - but Gianluca Mancini is favourite to start in Bologna.
Italy possible starting lineup: Vicario; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Cristante, Jorginho, Dimarco; Orsolini, Pellegrini; Retegui
Jonathan O'Shea
