While the Azzurri rebounded from another qualifying failure to win their Nations League group, and then beat Albania in midweek, their hosts have been relegated to League B and only scraped past Andorra last time out.

Match preview

Alessandro Bastoni in action for Italy in June 2022 © Reuters

Despite being left on the sidelines as others prepare to contest the World Cup in Qatar, European champions Italy continued their recent revival in Tirana on Wednesday night.

Roberto Mancini's remodelled side played out an entertaining encounter with hosts Albania, in which both teams struck the woodwork and tested the opposition goalkeeper several times; the Italians running out 3-1 winners in the end, thanks to the clinical finishing of Freiburg forward Vincenzo Grifo.

Following their failure to qualify for football's global gathering for a second time in succession, the Azzurri were also heavily beaten by both Argentina and Germany earlier this year, but after enjoying some belated Nations League success can now plot the defence of their crown at Euro 2024.

Humbled by North Macedonia in the World Cup playoffs, Italy are at least taking advantage of Serie A's six-week break to take part in a pair of friendlies to aid that pursuit.

After fielding a back three and a handful of talented teenagers in midweek - including 16-year-old prodigy Simone Pafundi - Mancini now leads his men out in the Austrian capital on Sunday night.

There they will aim to continue a three-game winning run that featured victory over neighbouring Hungary in Budapest, where they leapfrogged their hosts at the top of Nations League A Group 3 to qualify for the competition's final four again, having finished third last time around.

Austria's Marko Arnautovic pictured on September 25, 2022 © Reuters

Taking part in a friendly fixture just hours after the World Cup kicks off, Austria's absence from the world stage since 1998 will be all the more keenly felt.

After finishing fourth in their qualification group, Das Team lost 2-1 to Wales in a playoff at the Cardiff City Stadium back in March, having been eligible for a backdoor route to the finals due to their strong performance in the previous Nations League campaign.

Following Franco Foda's failure in that regard, ex-Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick stepped in as head coach and promptly won his first match in charge with a surprising 3-0 victory in Croatia.

However, the former RB Leipzig strategist was unable to win any of five subsequent games in League A of the most recent Nations League; resulting in the Austrians' demotion to Europe's second tier - September's 2-0 loss to France sealed their fate.

Certainly, Wednesday's friendly against international minnows Andorra was arranged with the chance to experiment and build confidence both in mind, but that was far from the case at Malaga's La Rosaleda: despite having over 80% of the ball, Austria only nicked a 1-0 win in the 87th minute, thanks to their frequent saviour Marko Arnautovic.

Austria International Friendlies form:

Austria form (all competitions):

Italy International Friendlies form:

Italy form (all competitions):

Team News

Italy manager Roberto Mancini on September 23, 2022 © Reuters

Roberto Mancini will have a further slimmed-down Italy squad from which to choose on Sunday, as Sandro Tonali - who landed awkwardly and had to be replaced in Albania - and young Nicolo Fagioli both picked up injuries in midweek.

West Ham United striker Gianluca Scamacca, in-form midfielder Davide Frattesi and Roma's Bryan Cristante had all previously withdrawn, so Mancini may again turn to his young guns at the weekend.

In Scamacca's absence, the man that replaced him at Sassuolo, Andrea Pinamonti, was called up as cover and is one of several prospects hoping to feature at Ernst Happel Stadion. Fabio Miretti of Juventus and Leeds United's Wilfried Gnonto also join boy wonder Simone Pafundi among the contenders.

If the Azzurri persist with three men at the back, Atalanta teenager Giorgio Scalvini could continue in defence, alongside vastly experienced captain Leonardo Bonucci.

Recently back in action following a major injury, Bonucci's Juventus teammate Federico Chiesa will compete with Vincenzo Grifo - star of the show on Wednesday evening - to support Giacomo Raspadori up front.

Meanwhile, Bologna pair Stefan Posch and Marko Arnautovic welcome some familiar faces to Austrian soil, with the latter hoping to add to his 34 goals from 105 international caps.

Real Madrid's David Alaba will captain the hosts, as he joins Arnautovic in returning to the first XI after starting on the bench in midweek. Midfielders Xaver Schlager and Christoph Baumgartner may feature, too, having both publicly defended coach Ralf Rangnick following recent criticism from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Rangnick has often fielded a four-man defence since taking charge earlier this year but could continue with the 3-4-2-1 formation fielded against Croatia and Andorra.

Austria possible starting lineup:
Lindner; Posch, Danso, Alaba; Mwene, Siewald, Schlager, Sabitzer; Baumgartner, Gregoritsch; Arnautovic

Italy possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Scalvini, Bonucci, Acerbi; Di Lorenzo, Verratti, Barella, Dimarco; Pessina, Raspadori, Grifo

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We say: Austria 0-1 Italy

Despite the mercurial presence of Serie A star Arnautovic, Austria have struggled to score of late - finding the net just four times in their last six matches. As a few tweaks to the Azzurri's formation and personnel seem to be paying dividends, Italy can finish a largely dismal 2022 with victory in Vienna.

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