Italy Boss Spalletti Plans Five Changes For Upcoming Israel Match

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Luciano Spalletti plans to make up to five changes for Italy's Nations League match against Israel. This decision follows their surprising 3-1 win over France on Friday, just three days before facing Israel in Hungary. The victory took a toll on the team, with Riccardo Calafiori and Lorenzo Pellegrini both leaving the squad due to injuries sustained during the match.

Spalletti explained the necessity of rotating players for the upcoming game. "It's difficult to put the same team out as Friday. It's not possible to get over the fatigue after just two days. Let's see how the guys are, but it's not unusual to change three, four, five players," he told the press.

Some players will have to play despite injuries from their recent victory, which marked Italy's first win against France since June 2008. "Bastoni will play tomorrow because it becomes tricky taking both him and Calafiori out of the team. He has the most experience; he brings things to the table that can help the whole team," Spalletti added.

Frattesi's condition will be assessed in today's training session. Although he was substituted earlier than planned against France to avoid any risks, he claims he is ready to play. "We need to see after a bit of training," Spalletti mentioned.

Italy faces Israel in their Nations League fixture on Monday at Bozsik Arena in Hungary. The tight schedule between matches has made it challenging for Spalletti to field an unchanged lineup. The coach emphasised that recovery time is insufficient for some players.

The Italian squad's opening three points in Group A2 came at a cost, necessitating strategic player rotations. Spalletti's approach aims to balance maintaining performance levels while managing player fatigue and injuries effectively.

The coach remains optimistic about his team's adaptability and readiness for the upcoming challenge despite these hurdles. His focus is on ensuring that those who take the field are fit and prepared for another competitive match.