Na international friendly wey go hold for Stade de Luxembourg this Wednesday night, and Italy, under caretaker coach Silvio Baldini, go take on Luxembourg. Na match wey go serve as chance for Italy to recover after dem fail to qualify for World Cup again, third time in a row.
Luxembourg, wey dem dey call Red Lions, don improve small. Dem beat Malta 2-0 away and 3-0 at home for Nations League promotion race. But Italy be different kettle of fish, even with dia own wahala.
Italy don suffer for World Cup qualification. Dem beat Northern Ireland for first play-off round, but then lose to Bosnia on penalties. So dis friendly na opportunity for Baldini to test new players and build morale.
Baldini go start Pio Esposito for attack. Dis 20-year-old boy finish season with 10 goals and six assists for Inter Milan, including crucial equaliser against Bologna on final Serie A matchday. He get eye for goal.
Luxembourg get leaky defence. Dem concede two goals or more for four of dia six World Cup qualifiers, including 3-1 loss to Northern Ireland at home. Italy, on dia part, score multiple goals for each of dia seven wins during qualifying campaign.
But Luxembourg no be pushover. Dem show determination against Malta, scoring five goals across two legs. Vincent Thill and Daniel Sinani lead attack. Dem fit cause problem for Italy inexperienced backline.
Both teams vulnerable for defensive transitions. Luxembourg famously leaky, while Italy fresh defenders fit make mistake. So we fit expect both sides to score.
Italy be short-priced favourites, but backing dem to score at least two goals look good bet at 4/5 with bet365. Luxembourg no get firepower to cause upset, but dem fit score consolation goal.
Match go be test for both sides. Italy want to prove dem still get quality, while Luxembourg want to show dem dey improve. No be World Cup qualifier, but e go get plenty action.
