90min

Italy vs Moldova Preview: How to Watch on TV, Live Stream, Kick Off Time & Team News

By Adam McGroarty

Italy face Moldoa on Wednesday evening
Italy face Moldoa on Wednesday evening / Soccrates Images/Getty Images
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Italy host Moldova in a friendly on Wednesday night ahead of a return to UEFA Nations League action.

September's two Nations League fixtures were a mixed bag for the Italians, as their first match ended all-square in a 1-1 draw with Bosnia and Herzegovina. However, they were able to beat the Netherlands away from home days later.

Italy were victorious against the Netherlands last time out
Italy were victorious against the Netherlands last time out / Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Moldova also returned to Nations League action with a draw as the points were shared with Kosovo and were then defeated by Slovenia.

Here's 90min's preview of the game...

Where to Watch on TV

When Is Kick Off? Wednesday 7 October
What Time Is Kick Off? 19:45 (BST)
Where Is it Played? Stadio Artemio Franchi
TV Channel/Live Stream? Sky Sports Red Button (UK)
Referee? Daniel Siebert

Team News

PSG midfielder Marco Verratti is back in the Italy squad after recovering from an injury
PSG midfielder Marco Verratti is back in the Italy squad after recovering from an injury / Catherine Steenkeste/Getty Images

Italy boss Roberto Mancini has named an extended 34-man squad which allows for flexibility, but Lorenzo Insigne, Alex Meret and Giovanni Di Lorenzo will all miss the game due to coronavirus restrictions.

While Juventus players called up to the squad could also be impacted by this, there could be an opportunity for the likes of Angelo Ogbonna and Domenico Berardi to see some game time. The lineup could look rather different to the one that beat the Netherlands last month, with PSG midfielder Marco Verratti also returning to the squad.

As for Moldova, with much more limited options available, it is likely we could see a very similar team to the one that played in the last fixture against Slovenia.

Predicted Lineups

Italy: Donnarumma; Florenzi, Ogbonna, Acerbi, Biraghi; Jorginho, Verratti, Pellegrini, Sensi, Barella; Immobile

Moldova: Koselev; Platica, Mudrac, Posmac, Armas; Reabciuk, Rata, Carp, Ionita; Damascan, Caimacov

Recent Form

Italy enjoyed a 1-0 win away to the Netherlands last month
Italy enjoyed a 1-0 win away to the Netherlands last month / Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Italy got their UEFA Nations League group stage campaign underway with a 1-1 draw at home to Bosnia and Herzegovina last month. While this was a rather disappointing point for Roberto Mancini's side, the away trip to the Netherlands brought some joy.

As for Moldova, the side returned to Nations League action with a 1-1 draw at home to Kosovo. This was then followed by a disappointing defeat away to Slovenia, with Moldova failing to register a shot on target during the whole game.

Italy
Netherlands 0-1 Italy (07/09)
Italy 1-1 Bosnia and Herzegovina (04/09)
Italy 9-1 Armenia (18/11)
Bosnia and Herzegovina 0-3 Italy (15/11)
Liechtenstein 0-5 Italy (15/10)

Moldova
Slovenia 1-0 Moldova (06/09)
Moldova 1-1 Kosovo (03/09)
Moldova 1-2 Iceland (17/11)
France 2-1 Moldova (14/11)
Moldova 0-4 Albania (14/10)

Prediction

After an impressive win against the Netherlands last month, Italy are obviously big favourites ahead of this friendly against Moldova.

The lineup will likely be heavily altered from the one used last time out, so there will be players looking to impress Mancini ahead of the Nations League returning. The quality that Italy has throughout the squad should be too much for Moldova to handle.

Prediction: Italy 3-0 Moldova