Spalletti Will Try Different Tactics When Facing Ecuador

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti. (X/@Azzurri)

JAKARTA - Italian national team coach Luciano Spalletti said he would again try a different tactic when facing the Ecuadorian national team in a friendly match at the Red Bull Arena Stadium, New Jersey, Monday morning at 03.00 WIB. Quoted from Football Italia via Antara, Spalletti confirmed that there would be more substitutions than the first 11 against Venezuela last Friday. "I'm thinking about starting XI, especially in a game like this, because it's important to get to know more players better," said Spalletti, Sunday, March 24. It is estimated that the coach who brought Napoli to the Italian League champions last season will replace at least nine players on the first 11 of Gli Azzuri later. Regarding Ecuador, Spalletti explained that the South American country is a strong team and has quality, determination, speed and technique. "Tomorrow is a more difficult test, because Ecuador has quality and determination, speed and technique, so I'm curious to see how the players apply the things we talk about after the win over Venezuela," Spalletti said. "I like the squad, they are very close to the right behavior we need," he concluded. This is Italy's second friendly match in March after facing Venezuela last week. In the match which was held at Chase Stadium, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Jorginho and colleagues were able to win the match over Venezuela with a score of 2-1 thanks to Mateo Retegui's brace.

The following is the prediction of the Italian line-up against Ecuador: Italy (3-4-2-1): Vicario; Darmian, Mancini, Bastoni; Bellanova, Barella, Jorginho, Dimarco; Zaniolo, Pellegrini; Raspadori. Coach: Luciano Spalletti.