Italy vs Bosnia and Herzegovina: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News
By Will Day
Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina face off in Florence on Friday night as the second edition of the Nations League gets underway. In a tough group, which also features the 2019 finalists Netherlands and Poland, a good start is vital.
The two sides have met just three times in their respective histories, the four-time World Cup winners (unsurprisingly) holding the superior record with two wins to their opponents' one – that one coming in a friendly in 1996.
Where to Watch
When Is Kick-Off? Friday 4 September
What Time Is Kick-Off? 19:45 (BST)
Where Is it Played? Stadio Artemio Franchi
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports
Team News
The Italian squad includes a trio of uncapped players, with Inter's Alessandro Bastoni and Sassuolo duo Manuel Locatelli and Francesco Caputo all in line to make their international debuts. Veteran
Giorgio Chiellini returns to the squad following a year-long absence, but Brescia forward Mario Balotelli has not been called up and Marco Verratti also misses out.
They must wait on midfield pairing Jorginho and Sandro Tonali, who are currently quarantining but are expected to join up with the side before their game providing both test negative for COVID-19. Italy have plenty of options in the centre of the park, notably Nicolò Zaniolo, Nicolò Barella, and Lorenzo Pellegrini, so will likely manage if Tonali and Jorginho are to miss out.
Bosnia are without star midfielder Miralem Pjanić, who recently tested positive for COVID-19 and is in isolation. Premier League trio Sead Kolašinac, Asmir Begović, and Muhamed Bešić are all included in the squad, while Roma striker Edin Džeko also features as questions continue to be asked about his future.
Predicted Lineups
Italy: Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Biraghi; Jorginho, Tonali, Barella; Bernardeschi, Insigne, Immobile.
Bosnia: Begović; Kvržić, Bičkačić, Kovačević, Kolašinac; Cimirot, Bešić, Hajradinović; Višća, Hodžić, Džeko.
Recent Form
Italy were in scintillating form in 2019, winning all ten of their European qualifiers, including two victories over their Friday opponents. They scored 37 times during that run, conceding just four times – although Bosnia (49th) were the only team in FIFA's top 50 they had to play in that run.
Bosnia have not fared quite as well. They won just four of their European qualifiers, losing five times including defeats to Finland and Armenia.
Italy
Italy 9-1 Armenia (18/11/19)
Bosnia 0-3 Italy (15/11/19)
Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy (15/10/19)
Italy 2-0 Greece (12/10/19)
Finland 1-2 Italy (8/9/19)
Bosnia
Liechtenstein 0-3 Bosnia (18/11/19)
Bosnia 0-3 Italy (15/11/19)
Greece 2-1 Bosnia (15/10/19)
Bosnia 4-1 Finland (12/10/19)
Armenia 4-2 Bosnia (8/9/19)
Prediction
With Italy in such brutally efficient form, it's difficult to envisage this going any other way than a home victory. Expect their technical midfield and free-scoring attack to be too much for their opponents, while Bosnia may be best served by trying to weather the storm at all costs and hold out for a draw or try to grab a goal on the break.
Predicted score: Italy 4-1 Bosnia