Italy probable XI in Luxembourg: Palestra not fully fit, Pisilli starts | OneFootball

Marco Palestra has a muscular problem, but Francesco Pio Esposito, Davide Bartesaghi, Niccolò Pisilli and Luca Koleosho are expected to start for Italy against Luxembourg.

It kicks off at the Stade de Luxembourg on Wednesday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

This is the first of two friendly matches under interim coach Silvio Baldini, along with Sunday’s trip to Greece.

Promoted from the Under-21 bench for these two games, he has called up largely uncapped players who are eager to prove themselves, along with veteran captain Gianluigi Donnarumma.

New Italy on show in Luxembourg

ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia & Herzegovina competes for the ball with Marco Palestra of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia and Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

Palestra had been set to start after sparking a bidding war worth €50m on the transfer market, but Sky Sport Italia report he sustained a slight adductor issue in training and will not be risked.

Instead, Costantino Favasuli of Catanzaro is expected to step in at right-back, as he can play on either flank.

Milan left-back Bartesaghi is chosen for the left side of defence, around Fiorentina’s Pietro Comuzzo and Borussia Monchengladbach’s 20-year-old Fabio Chiarodia.

CREMONA, – MARCH 01: Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)

It is largely the current Under-21 side, including Fiorentina midfielder Cher Ndour, Luca Lipani of Sassuolo and Roma’s Pisilli.

The trident attack in a 4-3-3 formation should be Roma-owned Luigi Cherubini, Inter striker Pio Esposito, and Paris FC’s Koleosho.

EMPOLI – MARCH 26: Cher Ndour U21 celebrates after scoring a goal during the UEFA Under 21 EURO Qualifier match between Italy U21 and North Macedonia U21 at Stadio Carlo Castellani on March 26, 2026 in Empoli. (Photo by Gabriele Maltinti/Getty Images)

Italy (probable 4-3-3): Donnarumma; Favasuli, Chiarodia, Comuzzo, Bartesaghi; Ndour, Lipani, Pisilli; Cherubini, Pio Esposito, Koleosho