Greece-Italy: the probable formations of the friendly

The last summer fixture for the Italian national soccer team, which will unfortunately see from home the 2026 World Cup about to begin in the United States, Mexico and Canada: the selection led by Silvio Baldini, a true experimental national team, will face another disappointment in the qualifiers for the rainbow event, Greece, in the match scheduled at the Pankritio Stadion in Heraklion, the capital of the island of Crete. Kickoff at 9 p.m. Italian time, match direction entrusted to Israel’s Frid.

Forty-seventh in the FIFA rankings, Greece (just like Italy) has missed qualifying for the last three editions of the World Cup, with the last participation dating back to Brazil 2014: then the White and Blue topped Group C behind Colombia, eliminating Ivory Coast and Japan, stopping in the round of 16 against Costa Rica (5-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw at 120′). In the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, the Hellenic selection did not go beyond third place in the group that promoted Scotland, ahead of Denmark.

Italy, fresh from the 1-0 loss against Luxembourg, is aiming to not lose points in the world rankings, always a useful tool to have draws at least on paper more advantageous in the future. However, Baldini explained that he is also working with a view to next summer’s Under-21 European Championship, which awards three places for the 2028 Olympic Games. With the parenthesis closed, the Canevara coach will in fact return to the leadership of the U21, waiting to understand (only after the Federal elections) who will be entrusted with the role of coach in view of the next four-year period.

Probable formations

ITALY (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Ahanor, Comuzzo, Chiarodia, Bartesaghi; Pisilli, Lipani, Ndour; Koleosho, Esposito, Ekhator. Ct: Baldini.

GREECE (3-4-2-1): Vlachodimos; Retsos, Mavropanos, Koulierakis; Vagiannidis, Mouzakitis, Kourbelis, Tsimikas; Tetteh, Tzolis; Douvikas. Ct: Jovanovic.