Italy vs. Moldova predicted lineups, team news, score prediction: Spalletti set for farewell after Norway nightmare

Luciano Spalletti will lead Italy for the last time when they host Moldova in World Cup qualification on Monday.

Spalletti was understandably a much-trumpted appointment in 2023 after he led Napoli to the Scudetto. However, his time in charge of the Azzurri has failed to ignite.

A limp last-16 exit at Euro 2024, where Italy barely escaped the group, seemingly left his position in peril. Spalletti remained in charge for an impressive win away in France in the UEFA Nations League last September.

Les Bleus gained revenge win in the return match, meaning Italy did not top their group and were eliminated in a quarterfinal against Germany. Friday's 3-0 defeat to Norway proved to be the final straw.

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"Last night, we were together with [Italian football federation] president [Gabriele] Gravina. He told me that I will be relieved of my position as coach of the national team," Spalletti said at a pre-match news conference for the Moldova game.

"I had no intention of giving up. I would have preferred to stay in my place and continue doing my job. I'll be there [on Monday] against Moldova, then we'll resolve the contract."

Italy are heavy favourites to secure the win, but the nightmare campaigns when they failed to reach the 2018 and 2022 will be looming in everyone's thoughts as Spalletti gets ready to say his goodbyes.

Italy vs. Moldova predicted lineups, team news

Spalletti will roll out his signature 3-5-2 formation one last time but there will be changes in personnel following the meek collapse in Oslo. Juventus wing-back Andrea Cambiaso could start alongside midfield duo Samuele Ricci and Davide Frattesi. 

Diego Coppola had a debut to forget against Norway and will likely step out of the back three.

Before this round of internationals, Moise Kean, Manuel Locatelli, Riccardo Calafiori, Alessandro Buongiorno and Matteo Gabbia all withdrew from Spalletti's squad.

Italy predicted lineup (3-5-2, right to left): Donnarumma (GK) — Di Lorenzo, Ranieri, Bastoni — Cambiaso, Frattesi, Ricci, Tonali, Udogie — Raspadori, Retegui

Italy full roster

Goalkeepers: Marco Carnesecchi, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alex Meret

Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni, Andrea Cambiasso, Diego Coppola, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Federico Dimarco, Federico Gatti, Destiny Udogie, Luca Ranieri, Davide Zappacosta

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella, Cesare Casadei, Davide Frattesi, Samuele Ricci, Nicolo Rovella, Sandro Tonali

Forwards: Moise Kean, Lorenzo Lucca, Daniel Maldini, Riccardo Orsolini, Giacomo Raspadori, Mateo Retegui.

Moldova are without winger Maxim Cojocaru, who was sent off against Estonia in March.

Veteran midfielder Artur Ionita is a familiar face, having spent the bulk of his career in Italy, including spells with Hellas Verona, Cagliari and Benevento in Serie A.

Torino teenager Sergiu Perciun made his senior international debut from the bench during the 2-0 defeat to Poland last time out.

Moldova predicted lineup (5-4-1, right to left): Avram (GK) — Platica, Posmac, Baboglo, Mudrac, Reabciuk — Caicamov, Motpan, Rata, Ionita — Nicolaescu

Moldova full roster

Goalkeepers: Victor Straistari, Cristian Avram, Andrei Cojuhar

Defenders: Oleg Reabciuk, Ion Bors, Vladislav Baboglo, Veaceslav Posmac, Andrei Motoc, Mihail Stefan, Victor Mudrac, Daniel Dumbravanu

Midfielders: Cristian Dros, Artur Ionita, Nichita Motpan, Victor Stina, Stefan Bodisteanu, Sergiu Platica, Sergiu Perciun, Stefan Bitca

Forwards: Ion Nicolaescu, Vitalie Damascan, Mihail Caimacov, Virgiliu Postolachi

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Italy vs. Moldova score prediction

Spalletti's time in charge of the Azzurri will ultimately be viewed as one of disappointment and unfulfilled promise. But, even at their current low ebb, Italy have too much quality not to get points on the board.

Predicted score: Italy 3-0 Moldova

How to watch Italy vs. Moldova: Live stream, TV channel

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