Report Palestra out of Italy starting 11 due to injury
ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Tarik Muharemovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina competes for the ball with Marco Palestra of Italy during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)
Marco Palestra is one of the most eagerly-awaited Italy players in the friendly with Luxembourg, but it’s reported he will not start tomorrow due to a fitness issue.
It kicks off at the Stade de Luxembourg on Wednesday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).
Following Gennaro Gattuso’s resignation and the World Cup play-off debacle, Under-21 coach Silvio Baldini was promoted to the role of interim senior CT for this friendly and Sunday’s trip to Greece.
Palestra eager for Italy opportunity
He called up largely the Under-21 team, so many of the players are uncapped, but there are a few eager to show what they can do from the start.
They include Palestra, who excelled this season on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta, and is the centre of a €50m bidding war with Inter, Manchester City, Newcastle United and Arsenal.
However, Sky Sport Italia and FCInterNews report that the right-back is not going to be in the starting XI tomorrow, because he is suffering with a slight muscular issue.
It is possible he will be able to come off the bench, but the hope is to see him starting against Greece on Sunday evening instead.
