How Italy could line up against the Netherlands

An ageing defence was considered culpable for the Azzurri's 2-1 defeat to Spain in midweek, so coach Roberto Mancini may finally lose faith in some of his Euro 2020 winners, such as Leonardo Bonucci and Rafael Toloi.

As Inter's Alessandro Bastoni withdrew from the squad due to illness earlier this week - and Lazio pair Nicolo Casale and Alessio Romagnoli were left at home - few options remain to undertake a radical reshuffle, though Torino centre-back Alessandro Buongiorno was called up as cover.

Bastoni's clubmate Matteo Darmian also endured Champions League heartbreak last week, but after both he and fellow full-back Federico Dimarco appeared from the bench on Thursday evening, they may now be drafted into the starting XI.

Mancini has switched between his favoured 4-3-3 and a 3-5-2 setup of late, and due to his lack of resources at the back he could consider reverting to the former against a speedy Dutch attack.

At the other end of the pitch, Ciro Immobile will have to see off competition from Mateo Retegui to keep his place up front, while Wilfried Gnonto and Giacomo Raspadori would offer more pace and variety if required.

In midfield, Marco Verratti and Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini are the likeliest alternatives to the trio which started against Spain, and as Davide Frattesi picked up a knock in the semi-final he may be the man to make way.