Italy vs Ukraine – Euro 2024 qualifier: TV channel, team news, lineups & prediction

Milan plays host to the crucial Euro 2024 qualifier between Italy and Ukraine on Tuesday night.

It’s been a tumultuous period for Italian football in the wake of their Euro 2020 success, and after failing to get to the World Cup last year, they’re at risk at missing out on another major tournament should they fail to win their upcoming qualifier.

Luciano Spalletti is now at the helm of the Azzurri after Roberto Mancini succumbed to the riches of Saudi Arabia, but his reign started off with a flat 1-1 draw against familiar foes North Macedonia. As a result, Italy sit three points adrift of Tuesday’s opponents, although they have played a game less.

Ukraine secured a potentially important point against England in Poland on matchday five in Group B as they attempt to qualify for the Euros at Italy’s expense. It’d be quite the story for the war-ravaged nation, who have never before beaten the Azzurri.

Italy vs Ukraine H2H Record (Last Five Games)

Current Form (Last Five Games)

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Despite Saturday’s draw with North Macedonia, Spalletti isn’t expected to make too many changes to his starting XI.

There are a couple of fresh injury concerns for the new Azzurri boss, however, with Matteo Politano and Gianluca Mancini both departing the squad. Riccardo Orsolini has been called up to the Italy camp, but either Nicolo Zaniolo or Wilfried Gnonto will be expected to start on Tuesday. Giorgio Scalvini will likely replace Mancini in defence.

Manuel Locatelli may come in for Bryan Cristante at the base of midfield, while Davide Frattesi, who impressed in the summer during the Nations League finals, is vying for a start.

Italy predicted lineup (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Scalvini, Bastoni, Spinazzola; Locatelli, Tonali, Barella; Zaniolo, Immobile, Zaccagni.

While Ukraine were forced to work hard for their point on Saturday, they could head into Tuesday’s bout unchanged. There don’t appear to be any injury worries from the draw with England.

Ilya Zabarnyi, Oleksandr Zinchenko, and Roman Yaremchuk make up a strong core for the visitors.

Ukraine predicted lineup (4-2-3-1): Buschan; Konoplya, Zabarnyi, Matviyenko, Mykolenko; Stepanenko, Zinchenko; Tsygankov, Sudakov, Mudryk; Yaremchunk.

There’s no doubt the atmosphere will be tense at San Siro on Tuesday night, and that should play into the hands of Ukraine, who have nothing to lose.

Such fearlessness could shackle the Italians, who are desperate for three points.

However, the Azzurri have a couple of critical absences in attack and Ukraine proved against England over the weekend that they’re capable of sufficiently shutting down even the most potent of international frontlines. Thus, a cagey affair is to be expected in Milan, with the spoils being shared in a stalemate that’ll only raise further questions about this Italy side.

Prediction: Italy 0-0 Ukraine