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Sweden-Italy: Leg 1 probable lineups

Sweden-Italy: Leg 1 probable lineups

  • Matthew Klimberg
Leg one of the World Cup playoff between Sweden and Italy kicks off tonight (8:45pm CEST). The victor will go on to Russia next summer, while the loser will sit and watch the fun from the relative comforts of their couches.

For Italy, missing the World Cup would be one of the greatest indignities in the country’s history. After winning the 2006 edition, the country has struggled in the last two incarnations. Now, they are on the verge of missing the next.

Gian Piero Ventura is already under tremendous pressure as the Italian tactician. The former Torino manager has overseen a number of unsteady performances from his club, which resulted in them losing to Spain in the group stage, thus, forcing them into these playoff matches.

Here’s how both clubs are likely to lineup for the opening match.

Sweden (4-4-2): Olsen; Lustig, Lindelof, Granqvist, Augustinsson; Claesson, Larsson, Ekal, Forsberg; Berg, Toivonen. 

Italy (3-5-2): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Parolo, De Rossi, Verratti, Darmian; Immobile, Belotti.