Marco Verratti will miss Italy’s World Cup play-offs with a knee injury; Roma’s Niccolo Pisilli looks set to be called up. Betting angle: Italy should still start Locatelli, Barella and Tonali—punters may favour Italy to control midfield and back a narrow win or over 1.5 team goals; avoid markets requiring Verratti involvement.
Verratti ruled out of Italy’s World Cup play-offs
Italy will be without Marco Verratti for the upcoming World Cup play-off semi-final against Northern Ireland on March 26 and the potential final on March 31. The 33-year-old remains sidelined with a knee problem that has kept him out of club action since January 15, ending hopes of a surprise Azzurri return.
Pisilli poised to be called up
Reports indicate 21-year-old Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli is the frontrunner to replace Verratti in Gennaro Gattuso’s squad. Pisilli’s likely inclusion gives Gattuso a young, technically gifted option off the bench or as cover in the middle of the park.
Gattuso’s midfield blueprint
Probable starting trio
Gattuso is expected to stick with a midfield spine built around Manuel Locatelli at the base, with Nicolo Barella and Sandro Tonali operating as the two advanced 'number 8s'. That trio preserves Italy’s balance between control, creativity and defensive coverage despite Verratti’s absence.
Tactical implications
Without Verratti’s short-passing and tempo control, Italy may look to progress play through box-to-box runs from Barella and Tonali and deeper distribution from Locatelli. Coaches will likely emphasise compactness and quick transitions to avoid being overrun centrally.
Midfield options on the radar
- Nicolo Barella (Inter)
- Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)
- Manuel Locatelli (Juventus)
- Davide Frattesi (Inter)
- Nicolo Rovella (Lazio)
- Samuele Ricci (Milan)
- Niccolo Pisilli (Roma)
- Fabio Miretti (Juventus)
- Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma)
- Giovanni Fabbian (Fiorentina)
- Nicolo Fagioli (Fiorentina)
- Cesare Casadei (Torino)
What this means for selection and preparation
Gattuso’s squad construction will prioritise midfield depth and versatility.
Pisilli’s likely call-up adds a youthful option, but the starting XI is expected to reflect continuity: Locatelli shielding the defence, Barella and Tonali supplying forward momentum.
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Preparations will focus on cohesion and protecting the central areas against Northern Ireland’s physical approach.
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