Prandelli shakes up Italy for Ukraine friendly
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has made a sweeping seven changes to his team to play a friendly against Ukraine in Kiev on Tuesday.
- Agence France-Presse
- Updated: March 29, 2011 10:21 AM IST
Italy coach Cesare Prandelli has made a sweeping seven changes to his team to play a friendly against Ukraine in Kiev on Tuesday.
Only defenders Christian Maggio and Giorgio Chiellini and midfielders Roberto Aquilani and Riccardo Montolivo have been retained from the side that convincingly beat Slovenia 1-0 in Friday's Euro 2012 qualifier.
Aquilani and Maggio were solid in Ljubljana while 39-times capped Chiellini and Montolivo are stalwarts of the team.
AC Milan striker Antonio Cassano, who appeared tired on Friday, will start on the bench, although Prandelli insisted: "I'm happy with his match in Slovenia and I still count on him."
Prandelli has opted for a tri-pronged attack of Alberto Gilardino and Giuseppe Rossi supported by Aquilani.
Gianluigi Buffon has conceded his place in goal to Bologna's Emilio Viviano, who replaced him for the first six months of the season when the Juventus goalie was injured.