Italy Predicted Lineup vs Moldova: Spalletti’s Last Stand Shakes Up Team Selection

Spalletti’s Sudden Farewell Stirs the Lineup

Few expected Italy’s coaching seat to heat up so quickly just before their clash with Moldova, but Luciano Spalletti’s exit has put extra attention on the squad sheet. Facing his last match in charge, Spalletti looks set to shake up his tactical approach, ditching the usual setup for a 3-5-2. This format reloads midfield control and tightens the back line, reflecting not only squad limitations but also the emotional charge running through the camp as they prepare for change.

Gianluigi Donnarumma, a rock between the posts, leads an altered defense. Giovanni Di Lorenzo slides to his regular spot, while Luca Ranieri replaces the young Diego Coppola. Alessandro Bastoni keeps his spot as the most experienced center-back. Spalletti’s call to swap Ranieri in is more than a tactical tweak—it’s a signal that even at the twilight of his tenure, he’s demanding full focus and adaptability from his team.

The midfield’s the big story. With Andrea Cambiaso and Destiny Udogie offering width, Italy hopes to stretch Moldova’s tired legs. But it’s Davide Frattesi’s fresh energy that stands out. After calming nerves in the last match coming off the bench in Oslo, he gets the nod to start. Alongside him, Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Barella bring a mix of creativity and bite. This midfield five isn’t just about plugging gaps—it’s about setting the pace right from the whistle, covering for last-minute injuries, and keeping a grip on an unpredictable game.

Attack Under Pressure and Moldova’s Challenge

Up front, the options are thin. Moise Kean’s injury means Spalletti sticks with Giacomo Raspadori and Mateo Retegui. Neither has set the world alight lately, but they offer mobility and pressing, exactly what’s needed to break through a Moldova side known for sitting deep and crowding their box. For Raspadori especially, it’s a real opportunity to prove his worth as Italy heads for a period of transition.

Moldova comes into this with their own headaches. Religious about their defensive structure, they’re now forced to patch things up after losing Maxim Cojocaru and others to suspension. Coach Serghei Clescenco must rely almost entirely on Ion Nicolaescu, whose 17 goals make him the undisputed danger man. He’ll likely plow a lonely furrow up top, feeding off scraps. But even one moment of space, and Italy could see themselves undone by his finishing.

Through all these changes, Spalletti’s words before the match ring out. He’s not just stepping aside; he’s leaving behind a team he clearly cares for deeply. "I love this shirt, this job and the players I’ve coached," he said with feeling. That attachment has shaped his bold lineup decisions, determined not just by tactics or injuries, but by the pride in giving the Azzurri every shot at going out strong.