Bosnia vs Italy probable line-ups for World Cup play-off

Italy seem inclined to use the same starting XI that beat Northern Ireland in the World Cup play-off, but Bosnia are ready to launch a fresh talent, according to Football Italia portal.

The match kicks off at the Stadion Bilino Polje in Zenica at 12:45am (Bangladesh time Wednesday) and a winner will be decided after 90 minutes, extra time or even a penalty shoot-out.

There had been suggestions that the Azzurri would make a couple of adjustments following the 2-0 semi-final victory against Northern Ireland.

Inter Milan striker Francesco Pio Esposito impressed off the bench, as did Cagliari winger Marco Palestra, but the latest indications from the training ground point to Mateo Retegui and Matteo Politano retaining their places, according to football writer Susy Campanale.

 

Gennaro Gattuso also hinted that Manuel Locatelli would remain in the centre of midfield, despite mentioning several times that the Juventus man was positioned incorrectly during the first half against Northern Ireland.

 

Meanwhile, Bosnia and Herzegovina are likely to make at least one change, as 18-year-old left-sided winger Kerim Alajbegovic made such a big impression off the bench against Wales in the semi-final, also converting the decisive penalty in the shoot-out.

 

 

He would step in for Esmir Bajraktevic, in support of Edin Dzeko and Ermedin Demirovic.

Atalanta defender Sead Kolasinac had been a slight doubt with injury, but has fully recovered and will be in the starting XI.

Probable line-ups:

Bosnia: Vasilj; Dedic, Katic, Muharemovic, Kolasinac; Memic, Sunjic, Tahirovic, Alajbegovic; Demirovic, Dzeko

Italy: Donnarumma; Mancini, Bastoni, Calafiori; Politano, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Kean, Retegui