After an era ended earlier this year, as Italy's Euro 2020 winners failed to qualify for the World Cup, the Azzurri tackle opening UEFA Nations League opponents Germany on Saturday, with the start of an evolution in prospect.

Coach Roberto Mancini has drawn criticism for demonstrating too much loyalty to his European Championship squad, which went unbeaten for well over a year, but is likely to make several changes following a humbling defeat to Argentina in Wednesday's 'Finalissima'.

Captain and long-serving defender Giorgio Chiellini now steps down from duty in the hosts' back four, so Inter centre-back Alessandro Bastoni will replace his Juventus counterpart.

An integral part of Milan's recent Scudetto triumph, 22-year-old Sandro Tonali should also feature in midfield at Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, while Sassuolo's Gianluca Scamacca, 23, will hope to start ahead of Andrea Belotti up front.

Several players were missing for Mancini at Wembley - including midfield mainstay Marco Verratti, Serie A Capocannoniere Ciro Immobile, long-term injury victim Federico Chiesa and Scamacca's clubmate Domenico Berardi.

Roma's injury-prone forward Nicolo Zaniolo is also unavailable on Saturday, while Federico Bernardeschi, Emerson Palmieri and Jorginho are among eight players now cut from Mancini's original selection.

Uncapped midfielders Tommaso Pobega, Samuele Ricci and Davide Frattesi - the latter also of Sassuolo - are unlikely to start, but their appearance at some stage would herald the turning of a page in La Nazionale's recent history.

Italy possible starting lineup: Donnarumma; Florenzi, Bonucci, Bastoni, Spinazzola; Cristante, Tonali, Locatelli; Politano, Scamacca, Raspadori

> Click here to see how Germany could line up for their Nations League opener

Written by
Jonathan O'Shea