Last summer, the world's eyes fixed on the Amazon city of Manaus as England faced Italy in the group stages of the World Cup. Two former World Cup winners facing off in the humid conditions would eventually lead to a 2-1 win for the Italians. Now ten months later, the two meet again in an international friendly amidst the quest for European Championship Qualifying and the game could prove to be a measure of where the teams now stand leading into the 2016 Euros.
Team News:
Italy:
Antonio Conte's team has differed to the one that made the trip to Brazil last summer and among the key absentees are midfield duo Andrea Pirlo and Claudio Marchisio through injury. Mario Balotelli did not earn a call-up as he has struggled to win over the former Juventus boss and has failed to find goal-scoring form this season. Despite the absence of Pirlo, the emergence of Marco Verratti has been a bright area for the Azzurri but a lack of goal-scorers in the side is a worry. The six strikers only have 3 goals for Italy between them, not pleasing to the eye of Italian fans. Despite what may seem a transition period, the Italians are still considered one of Europe's top sides and will be among the favourites for the Euros in 2016.
Projected XI: Sirigu; Barzagli, Chiellini, Bonucci; Antonelli, Candreva, Verratti, Bertolacci, Darmian; Zaza and Eder.
England:
The English have been in great form as of late, winning 7 European Qualifiers in a row, their best ever start to a campaign. Since the abysmal World Cup campaign which saw the Three Lions finish bottom of the group, Roy Hodgson may just have found the perfect amount of young talent mixed with experience. After their thrashing of Lithuania on Friday, four players dropped out of the squad due to injury or slight knocks: Danny Welbeck, Raheem Sterling, Leighton Baines and James Milner. Daniel Sturridge, Danny Rose and Adam Lallana add onto those pulling out of the England squad thus far. Ryan Bertrand was called into the team ahead of the Italy match while Ryan Mason was drafted in before the Lithuania clash. While they may not be considered one of the front-runners to win in France next summer, England certainly have the quality to spring a few surprises.
Projected XI: Hart; Clyne, Cahill, Jones, Bertrand; Carrick, Henderson, Delph, Barkley; Kane and Rooney.
Background:
Both Harry Kane and Eder scored on their international debuts. Kane's coming 80 seconds after entering the fray on Friday, while Eder's was an equaliser against Bulgaria.
England thrashed Lithuania 4-0 in their first match of the international break and Italy scraped a 2-2 draw with Bulgaria.
PREVIOUS MEETING: Italy ran out 2-1 victors against England at the World Cup with goals from Claudio Marchisio and Mario Balotelli. Daniel Sturridge was on the scoresheet for England.