Gli Azzuri won’t be playing in Qatar, so they’re focusing on tonight’s Nations League match against old rivals Germany. Millions of football fans in Italy still can’t believe that their beloved national team is missing the second successive World Cup. Tonight, they will have a chance to prove that they are indeed a top-class team at Stadio Dall’Ara in Bologna.Italian supporters were on top of the world after winning the European Championship last year so imagine how painful it was to watch their team lose out to North Macedonia in the Qualifying play-offs. They cannot go back in time, they cannot change what’s been, so everything they can do is to focus on the Nations League and tonight’s clash with Germany.Italy na Ujerumani watachuana leo usiku. Italy watatumia mchuano huu kujiundia sifa upya baada ya kiwa na msururu wa matokeo mabaya. Ujerumani watakubali kichapo? Kuwa Mshindi! Cheza sasa 👉https://t.co/KyDsGpLe4B#UEFANationsLeague pic.twitter.com/tTZ8zlBDlQ— Mozzart Bet Kenya (@mozzartbetkenya) June 4, 2022 President of the Italian Football Association, Gabriele Gravina, was under fire following the World Cup fiasco. Still, he urged the fans to get behind coach Roberto Mancini and the players who start their Nations League campaign tonight.”We have always told the truth to the Italians, even if it isn’t nice to hear. We come from an extraordinary result like winning the European Championship. Our team reached new heights but has been suffering because we’ve had injuries. Some players were tired, and the others had to retire. I expect our national team to show pride and do their best against Germany.”Sunday, 15.00: (2.40) AFC Leopards (3.00) Nairobi City Stars (3.05)Mancini is expected to make radical changes to the line-up by bringing in Sandro Tonali, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Gianluca Scamacca and Leonardo Spinazzola.The coach said this would represent the start of a new era, and he sent home many of the veterans in the squad after their 3-0 Finalissima defeat to Argentina. On top of those, the likes of Ciro Immobile, Federico Chiesa, Nicolo Zaniolo, Mattia Zaccagni and Manuel Lazzari have pulled out with injury.Italy vs Germany | Possible lineups [@BILD] pic.twitter.com/jwVRQTONEZ— Bayern & Germany (@iMiaSanMia) June 3, 2022 According to Sky Sport Italia, Spinazzola will get his first start for Italy since tearing his Achilles tendon in the EURO 2020 quarter-final. Alessandro Bastoni, Tonali and Manuel Locatelli are all promoted to the senior squad, with Bryan Cristante in midfield.Scamacca is effectively the only centre-forward available with any degree of Serie A experience, so he leads the way with Matteo Politano and Pellegrini.The other two teams in Italy and Germany’s Nations League group are England and Hungary, so securing three points against Hansi Flick’s side this evening would be a strong start to finish first.UEFA NATIONS LEAGUELEAGUE A, ROUND 1WednesdayPoland – Wales 2-1 (0-0)/Kaminski 72, Swiderski 85 – Williams 52/ThursdayCzech R. – Switzerland 2-1 (1-1)/Kuchta 11, Sow 58 og – Okafor 44/Spain – Portugal 1-1 (1-0)/Morata 25 – Horta 82/FridayBelgium – Netherlands 1-4 (0-1)/Batshuayi 90+3 – Bergwijn 40, Depay 51, 66, Dumfries 62/Croatia – Austria 0-3 (0-1)/Arnautovic 41, Gregoritsch 54, Sabitzer 57/France – Denmark 1-2 (0-0)/Benzema 51 – Cornelius 68, 88/Saturday19.00: (10.0) Hungary (4.50) England (1.42)21.45: (2.60) Italy (3.30) Germany (2.90)***odds are subject to change
