Italy coach Roberto Mancini has decided who will partner Alessandro Bastoni in the World Cup play-off against North Macedonia tonight.
The race came down to Francesco Acerbi and Roma defender Gianluca Mancini, both of whom had the chance to start due to the precarious physical conditions of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci.
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As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport (via LazioNews24), Azzurri coach Mancini has decided to start Roma’s Mancini in tonight’s match against North Macedonia in Palermo, meaning that Acerbi will be forced to watch from the bench.
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Mancini’s decision is based on the fact that he wants an experienced defender available for the final play-off game against the winner of Portugal-Turkey, who will start alongside Chiellini. Should Bonucci fail to start, the Lazio centre back would take over.
Acerbi has played three full games since returning from his hamstring injury and he’s looking well, performing up to scratch following his comeback.
