Midfielders
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The Italian squad is heavily loaded with wing-backs, with Conte having the flexibility to play attacking options or defensive options. Given that Italy are slap bang in the group of death, Conte might opt for the defensive duo of Matteo Darmian and Alessandro Florenzi in the left and right-wing back roles respectively, with Mattia de Sciglio also an option on both wings.
Antonio Candreva was quite fantastic on the right in Italy’s most recent friendly against Finland, with El Shaarawy surprisingly occupying the left wing-back role, although Conte might opt to play them centrally in his final lineup. Bernardeschi also provides an attacking option on the wings, although he’s probably a wild card from the bench if Italy are chasing a game.
The 23 man squad that Conte has named is filled to the brim with versatile players, with the Italian manager trusting the combination of hard-working qualities to thrive in his system, as Italy return to their defensive nature to earn them another trophy, with the Azzurri considered rank outsiders for the trophy this time around.
Thiago Motta will occupy the defensive midfield role, although the absence of Marco Verratti will be keenly felt - but was a situation that allowed Roma veteran Daniele de Rossi to be drafted into the squad. Alongside Motta, Conte will opt for Marco Parolo, who has impressed for Lazio this season and can play the box-to-box role with great aplomb, with Sturaro a workman-like, if uninspiring option.
Antonio Candreva is undoubtedly Italy’s most creative player, and the Lazio midfielder might be called upon to operate in the hole behind the two strikers, a position that El Shaarawy can also play in. Emanuele Giaccherini is Conte's water-carrier in the squad, able to play in all roles across the 5-man midfield, but will probably not make the starting lineup.
