Ecuador will take on Italy in a friendly at the Red Bull Arena in New York on Sunday, looking to build on the win over Guatemala.
Italy are coming into the game against Ecuador on the back of a win over Venezuela, and both teams will look to grind out a victory when they lock horns at New York’s Red Bull Arena on Sunday evening.
Luciano Spalletti will look to prepare his side well for the upcoming European Championships, and these friendlies will provide him with a vital opportunity to test his options. Italy have been placed in the group stages alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania. They will have to be on top of their game to progress through to the knockout rounds.
After the game against Ecuador, they will take on Turkey and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Meanwhile, Ecuador will look to make their mark in the upcoming Copa America and victories over teams like Italy will provide them an immense confidence boost.
The South Americans have a talented squad at their disposal and they will look to pull off a morale-boosting result here. Felix Sanchez Bas has improved Ecuador immensely, and they have lost just once in the last ten competitive matches under him.
Team News & Tactics
Ecuador
The South Americans do not have any major injury issues ahead of this game, and they will be able to field a full strength eleven. Alexander Dominguez will start in goal for Ecuador, who are likely to shape up in 4-2-3-1 formation.
Angelo Preciado and Piero Hincapie will be deployed as the full-backs, and they will look to help out at both ends of the pitch. At the heart of the defence, Felix Torres will start alongside Robert Arboleda.
As for the midfield pivot, Moises Caicedo will add defensive cover, and he will break up opposition attacks. Carlos Gruezo will start alongside him and he will add control to the side. Jeremy Sarmiento and Angel Mena will start in the wide areas, and they will look to add flair and pace to the attack.
Kendry Paez is likely to be handed a start in the attacking midfield role. Finally, Enner Valencia will lead the line for Ecuador against Italy on Sunday evening.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Dominguez; Preciado, Torres, Arboleda, Hincapie; Gruezo, M. Caicedo; Mena, Paez, Sarmiento; Valencia
Italy
Francesco Acerbi misses out after being withdrawn from the squad following accusations of racism. Meanwhile, Bryan Cristante misses out with a back problem, and Domenico Berardi is recovering from a knock.
Italy are likely to shape up in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal. Giovanni Di Lorenzo will start alongside Gianluca Mancini and Alessandro Bastoni in the back three. Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco will be deployed as the wing-backs. They will look to protect the central defenders and help out in the attack.
As for the midfield unit, Nicolo Barella will start alongside Jorginho in the middle of the park. While Barella will look to add creativity and control to the side, Jorginho will recycle possession and help out defensively.
Lorenzo Pellegrini and Federico Chiesa will be deployed in the attacking midfield roles, and they will look to create goalscoring opportunities in the final third. Finally, Giacomo Raspadori will lead the line for Italy agianst Ecuador.
Probable Lineup (3-4-2-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni; Darmian, Barella, Jorginho, Dimarco; Pellegrini, Chiesa; Raspadori
Key Stats
- Ecuador have kept clean sheets in four straight games.
- Ecuador are unbeaten in nine of their last ten competitive matches.
- In their last five games in all competitions, Italy have three wins, one draw and one loss.
- Ecuador and Italy have met just twice in their histories, with Italy winning one and drawing the other match.
- In their last five games in all competitions, Ecuador have three wins and two draws.
Player to Watch
Federico Chiesa
The 26-year-old has done reasonably well for Juventus this season, and he is slowly getting back to his best. Chiesa will look to regain his sharpness in these international friendlies ahead of the European Championships.
He was a key player for Italy at UEFA Euro 2020, helping them win the tournament. Chiesa will add goals and creativity to the side in the final third, and he will look to carve open the Ecuador defence.
Prediction
Ecuador 1-1 Italy
Both teams will fancy their chances of a win here, and this is likely to be a crunch contest. Neither side will want to end up with a defeat and this will be a close game. The two sides are likely to cancel each other out and share the spoils here. Both Ecuador and Italy have done well defensively, and it will be difficult to pick out a winner here.
