“Battle on the Pitch: North Macedonia Takes on Italy in EURO 2024 Showdown”

Italy Faces North Macedonia in EURO 2024 Qualifier

Overview

Italy‘s national football team, known as the Azzurri, faces a crucial EURO 2024 qualifier away to North Macedonia. This match marks Luciano Spalletti’s first game as the team’s coach, following the sudden resignation of Roberto Mancini. Spalletti has chosen a 4-3-3 formation, with key players such as Ciro Immobile and Nicolò Barella in the starting lineup. However, injuries to Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini have forced Spalletti to make some changes. The game kicks off in Skopje at 19:45 UK time (18:45 GMT).

Previous Results and Expectations

The Azzurri have already played two games in this qualifying group, losing to England and beating Malta 2-0. The defeat against North Macedonia in the 2022 World Cup play-off proved to be a turning point in Mancini’s reign as coach. Italy will be looking to avenge that defeat and secure a crucial win to stay in contention for qualifying.

Team Lineup and Strategy

Spalletti’s chosen formation of 4-3-3 showcases his commitment to attacking play. Immobile, Zaccagni, Barella, and Tonali lead the attacking trio, while Bryan Cristante fills in for injured teammate Pellegrini in midfield. Immobile, with the most senior caps, has been given the captain’s armband. The team’s defensive line includes Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, and Dimarco.

The Opposition

North Macedonia, led by coach Igor Angelovski, poses a strong challenge for Italy. They had previously shocked Italy with a stoppage-time goal in the 2022 World Cup play-off. The team’s familiarity with Italy‘s playstyle, along with the presence of key players like Eljif Elmas and Ilija Nestorovski, makes them a formidable opponent.

Final Thoughts and Predictions

This match will undoubtedly be a test of Luciano Spalletti’s coaching abilities and his influence on the Italian team. Given Italy‘s strong performance against Malta and their desire to avenge the previous defeat against North Macedonia, it is expected that they will come out with a strong attacking display. However, North Macedonia’s resilience cannot be underestimated, and they will likely pose a significant challenge for the Azzurri. A draw or a narrow victory for Italy seems to be the most likely outcome.

[Note: This report is purely speculative and based on the information provided in the question. The outcome of the actual match may differ.]