Who could replace Verratti for Italy and how could Gattuso line up in midfield? | OneFootball

According to Football Italia, reports on Thursday indicate Marco Verratti will be unavailable for Italy’s World Cup play-offs because of a knee problem. Roma’s 21-year-old Niccolo Pisilli is said to be the leading candidate to take his place in the squad.

The 33-year-old had been in line for a surprise recall for the semi-final against Northern Ireland on March 26 and, if Italy progress, the final away to Wales or Bosnia and Herzegovina on March 31.

There had been suggestions he was on Gennaro Gattuso’s provisional list and close to the final cut. The former PSG midfielder, now at Al-Duhail, has been out since January 15 and is not expected to be included this month.

The setback is unlikely to alter Gattuso’s preferred midfield. Nicolo Barella and Sandro Tonali are widely seen as the first-choice number eights, with Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli favoured to anchor the Azzurri.

Verratti last featured for the national side in the Nations League finals in the summer of 2023.

Source: Football Italia