Italy visit Luxembourg with nine debutants in the starting XI under caretaker coach Silvio Baldini tonight.
It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Stade de Luxembourg.
It’s another sad day for Italy as the other national teams prepare for the World Cup, while the Azzurri are about to finish the season with their last two games in 2025-26.
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Gianluigi Donnarumma of Italy reacts after the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
The first one is played tonight in Luxembourg. Caretaker coach Silvio Baldini, temporarily promoted from the U21, has called up 19 debutants and just one established international player, captain Gigio Donnarumma, who will start in goal tonight.
Marco Palestra is not fully fit, so Costantino Favasuli (Benevento) will start instead as a right-back.
There seems to be just one line-up doubt for the Azzurri with either Davide Bartesaghi or Honest Ahanor starting as a left-back.
CREMONA, ITALY – MARCH 01: Davide Bartesaghi of AC Milan in action during the Serie A match between US Cremonese and AC Milan at Stadio Giovanni Zini on March 01, 2026 in Cremona, Italy. (Photo by Francesco Scaccianoce/Getty Images)
According to Sky Sport and Tuttosport, Bartesaghi is the favourite, while Gazzetta claims that Ahanor will start.
Italy’s second game in June will be played away in Greece on Sunday, June 7.
Luxembourg vs. Italy: where to watch on TV
The match will be shown on Amazon Prime Video in the UK and Ireland and on Fubo in the USA. If you are in Italy, you can watch the Azzurri on Rai 1 or the Rai app. Football Italia will provide live coverage via a live blog.
Luxembourg vs. Italy: probable line-ups
Luxembourg (4-3-3): Moris; Jans, Korac, Carlson, Bohnert; Martins, Olesen, Veiga; Thill, Sinani, Dardari.
Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Favasuli, Chiarodia, Comuzzo, Bartesaghi; Ndour, Lipani, Pisilli; Cherubini, Pio Esposito, Koleosho