Italy eyes new role for Barella against Spain

Italy plan at most just one change to the squad against Spain after their EURO 2024 opener as the four-man defense is expected to remain intact, but Nicolò Barella could switch roles.

Both teams won their opening group matches, as Spain crushed Croatia 3-0 and the Azzurri came from an early goal down to beat Albania 2-1.

They will face each other on Thursday at 8:00 p.m. UK time (7:00 p.m. GMT), in what could be a decisive result both for qualification to the round of 16 and to secure top spot for a better draw in the future.

Italy had tested a three-man defense in warm-up friendlies and are expected to use this system against teams with more than one attacker.

According to the latest reports from Iserlohn training camp, there should still be four in defense against Spain, but potentially with an adjustment.

The only major doubt is whether to keep the 4-2-3-1 that beat Albania or introduce Bryan Cristante in place of his Roma teammate Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Davide Frattesi is more likely to stay because he can make those deep runs that surprise the Spanish defense where gaps appeared in their win over Croatia.

In the second half against Albania, Barella actually moved into a more advanced trequartista role behind the striker and this could be used from the start with Spain.

He also scored the winning goal, so moving him closer to the net could be advantageous with Cristante guarding Jorginho.

(4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Jorginho, Cristante; Chiesa, Barella, Frattesi; Scamacca