Italy vs Norway - Competition: UEFA Euro Qualifying
Italy team secured their passage to the competition in France next year with a
3-1 victory over Azerbaijan last Friday, a rare convincing display for
Antonio Conte's side. Draw or victory against the Norwegians would
solidify the Azzurri's position at the summit of the table, though a
loss would see Tuesday's opponents leapfrog Conte's side into top spot.
Andrea Pirlo missed the 3-1 win over Azerbaijan through a muscle problem, and he remains a major doubt. Verratti and Parolo also have injury concerns and will be rested. Antonio Conte is without the services of suspended midfielder De Rossi and could hand a start to Milan's Montolivo and Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco who was impressive when coming on as a substitute last time out.
Andrea Pirlo missed the 3-1 win over Azerbaijan through a muscle problem, and he remains a major doubt. Verratti and Parolo also have injury concerns and will be rested. Antonio Conte is without the services of suspended midfielder De Rossi and could hand a start to Milan's Montolivo and Toronto’s Sebastian Giovinco who was impressive when coming on as a substitute last time out.
Norway, who have won three of their four qualifiers away from home, go
into their final qualifying game on the back of Saturday's 2-0 home
triumph over Malta. They currently sit second in Group H, but they are
two points adrif Italy and two points ahead of a Croatia side who face
the somewhat easier task of a trip to Malta. Furthermore, Croatia beat
Norway 5-1 in March and have a superior head-to-head record against the
Norwegians.
Head coach Per-Mathias Hogmo is unlikely to completely overhaul his strongest XI in what can be considered a must-win game. Hull City forward Adama Diomande misses through injury while midfielder Per-Ciljan Skjelbred suffered an ankle injury on Saturday and he is now rated doubtful.
Italy and Norway last met during Antonio Conte's debut as Italy head coach, when goals from Zaza and Bonucci secured all three points for the Azzurri. Italy have not lost in 38 qualifiers on home soil - a run stretching back to September 1999.
Head coach Per-Mathias Hogmo is unlikely to completely overhaul his strongest XI in what can be considered a must-win game. Hull City forward Adama Diomande misses through injury while midfielder Per-Ciljan Skjelbred suffered an ankle injury on Saturday and he is now rated doubtful.
Italy and Norway last met during Antonio Conte's debut as Italy head coach, when goals from Zaza and Bonucci secured all three points for the Azzurri. Italy have not lost in 38 qualifiers on home soil - a run stretching back to September 1999.
Probable lineups:
Italy: Buffon – Darmian Bonucci, Chiellini, De Sciglio – Montolivo, Verratti, Parolo – Candreva, Pelle, Eder.
Norway: Nyland – Elabdellaoui, Hovland, Forren, Linnes – Skjelbred, Tettey, Johansen – Henriksen –Soderlund, Berget.
Italy last 5 matches:
12/06/15 Croatia 1 – 1 Italy16/06/15 Italy 0 – 1 Portugal
03/09/15 Italy 1 – 0 Malta
06/09/15 Italy 1 – 0 Bulgaria
10/10/15 Azerbaijan 1 – 3 Italy
Norway last 5 matches:
08/06/15 Norway 0 – 0 Sweden
12/06/15 Norway 0 – 0 Azerbaijan
03/09/15 Bulgaria 0 – 1 Norway
06/09/15 Norway 2 – 0 Croatia
10/10/15 Norway 2 – 0 Malta
12/06/15 Norway 0 – 0 Azerbaijan
03/09/15 Bulgaria 0 – 1 Norway
06/09/15 Norway 2 – 0 Croatia
10/10/15 Norway 2 – 0 Malta
Match date: 13 October 2015
Kick Off Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Roma
Kick Off Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Roma
