Roberto Mancini’s starting XI for Italy’s Nations League opener against Belgium is taking shape, with Francesco Pio Esposito, Nicolò Zaniolo and Daniel Maldini expected upfront.

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

The group is completed by France and Turkiye, who will face off in the other match that day.

Mancini intends to adopt a 4-3-3 formation and some choices are foisted upon him, because Federico Dimarco, Bryan Cristante and Marco Palestra were ruled out by injury, while Alessandro Bastoni is suspended.

Inter striker Pio Esposito continues to be considered the favourite ahead of Moise Kean to lead the attack, but there are quite a few alternatives to complete the trident.

According to the Corriere dello Sport , Zaniolo on the right and Maldini for the left would seem to be the most likely options, instead of Nicolò Cambiaghi and Giacomo Raspadori.

It’s a big step for Zaniolo, who wasn’t even called up by the Nazionale for two years.

The midfield would appear to be locked down, with Alessandro Romano getting his Italy debut instead of Samuele Ricci, surrounded by the old guard of Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali.