pio esposito is set to start from the bench as Italy prepares to face Bosnia in the World Cup playoff final on Tuesday, March 31 at 8: 45 PM ET in Zenica, where coach Gennaro Gattuso has tweaked travel plans after a FIGC delegate inspected the Bilino Polje pitch. Gattuso confirmed a likely 3-5-2 with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal and a defense built around Mancini, Bastoni and Calafiori. The change aims to protect the team from heavy pitch conditions and to sharpen focus on containing Edin Dzeko and Demirovic.
Match build-up and travel changes
Heavy snow followed by rain left the Bilino Polje surface difficult, prompting Gattuso — in agreement with his staff and following a stadium inspection by a FIGC delegate — to alter the pre-match routine. The squad completed a final session at Coverciano at 11: 00 AM ET, then had lunch and took a flight to Bosnia at 4: 30 PM ET; Gattuso addressed the media in a press conference at 7: 30 PM ET. The tactical setup is expected to remain a 3-5-2 to prioritize defensive solidity against Bosnia’s frontline.
Pio Esposito or Retegui: the attack call
Retegui currently holds the advantage for a starting role alongside Moise Kean, with pio esposito likely to come off the bench. Recent training indicators point to a forward pairing of Kean and Retegui, while Esposito is positioned as the primary substitute option in the attacking group. The decision places the emphasis on an immediate physical presence up front while retaining pio esposito as an impact player later in the match.
Tactical spine and confirmed XI
Gattuso appears inclined to confirm the defensive trio that shut out Ireland of the last match: Mancini on the right, Bastoni centrally, and Calafiori on the left, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal. In midfield, Manuel Locatelli is preferred in the low-playmaker role over Bryan Cristante, flanked by Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali. On the wings, the right-side slot favors Matteo Politano over a near-debutant alternative, while Federico Dimarco occupies the left. That collective selection reflects a priority on defensive attention: Bosnia leans heavily on Dzeko and Demirovic for quality and finishing threat, making containment the central game plan.
Immediate reactions and named figures
Gennaro Gattuso, head coach of the Italy national team, adjusted the travel and training timeline after a FIGC delegate inspected Bilino Polje. The FIGC delegate, referenced by staff planning, determined a later departure would better prepare the squad. The Bosnia lineup is set in a 4-4-2 with coach Barbarez naming Dzeko and Demirovic as the attacking pair, and Vasjli in goal. These selections framed Italy’s tactical response in the final hours before kickoff.
Quick context: Italy is playing to return to the World Cup after a 12-year absence, making the single-leg playoff final a winner-takes-all scenario and increasing the premium on defensive caution. Substitutions and bench roles will likely decide how Italy manages risk against Bosnia’s primary threats.
What’s next: the match at 8: 45 PM ET will finalize the decision on starting roles and bench deployment; Gattuso’s final whistle on the XI will come before kickoff, and pio esposito is poised to be a tactical option off the bench should Italy need a late attacking injection. All eyes will be on the first 45 minutes as the Azzurri aim to avoid conceding — a single goal could determine Italy’s path back to the World Cup.
