Uruguay vs Italy team news: Italy make four changes but stick with Mario Balotelli in effort to counter an unchanged Uruguay led by Luis Suarez
Bonucci, De Sciglio, Verratti and Immoblie replace Abate, Motta, De Rossi and Candreva
Luis Suarez will partner Edinson Cavani in attack to lead the charge against Italy and attempt to secure one of the two second round qualifying berths in Group D.
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Uruguay know that nothing but victory will assure them of a prolonged stay in Brazil, with Italy needing a draw or better to book their place in the last-16 at Uruguay’s expense. Coach Oscar Tabarez has named the same starting XI that ended England’s chances of qualification on Thursday, meaning Suarez is fit to start despite being carried off on a stretcher after scoring twice against the Three Lions.
Italy make four changes to the side that succumbed to Costa Rica 1-0 on Friday, with Leonardo Bonucci, Mattia De Sciglio, Marco Verratti and Ciro Immoblie all coming in for Ignacio Abate, Thiago Motta, Daniele De Rossi and Antonio Candreva.
Mario Balotelli will partner the new Borussia Dortmund signing Immobile in attack, meaning manager Cesare Prandelli has elected to start with a 3-5-2 formation, allowing wing-backs Darmina and De Sciglio to slot back into the defence when required.
Line-ups:
Uruguay: Muslera, Cáceres, Giménez, Godín, A.Pereira; González, Arévalo Rios, C.Rodríguez, Lodeiro; Cavani, Suárez
Substitutes: Perez, Forlan, Fucile, Silva, Pereira, Stuani, Gargabo, Hernandez, Munoz, Coates, Ramirez.
Italy: Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Darmian, Verratti, Pirlo, Marchisio, De Sciglio; Balotelli, Immobile
Substitutes: Paletta, Aquilani, Sirigu, Cassano, Motta, Cerci, Abate, Candreva, Perin, Parolo, Insigne.
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