Italy will need to quell the threat of Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri

Italy will need to quell the threat of Swiss playmaker Xherdan Shaqiri, who is relishing the chance to shine against a side managed by his former Inter Milan boss Mancini.

Shaqiri, who is now at Liverpool, was brought to Inter by Mancini in January 2015 but failed to earn a regular place in the side and left for Stoke just six months later.

Shaqiri said: “I am really looking forward to the game and I look forward to seeing Roberto. He is a great person and I am really happy that it is going well for him and he has made Italy a top team.

“They are one of the favourites for this tournament. They will try to attack. It is not the Italy that used to defend all the time.

“It will be a challenge but we will try to create problems for them. It will be a difficult game but we are confident.”

Italy could make one enforced change with right-back Alessandro Florenzi doubtful with a calf injury.

 

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