Alberto Aquilani is the new favourite to start against Spain, but there are reports Italy could switch to a 4-1-4-1 system without Antonio Cassano.
Coach Roberto Donadoni is forced to reshuffle his squad for Sunday’s quarter-final due to the bans for Andrea Pirlo and Gennaro Gattuso.
Different options are open to him and initially many expected to stick with the system used in the 2-0 victory over France, with Massimo Ambrosini stepping in for Gattuso and either Aquilani or Mauro Camoranesi replacing Pirlo.
In that case, the odds of seeing Aquilani complete a Roma-style Italy have shortened over the past few hours, as Camoranesi has been in poor form in Euro 2008.
Simone Perrotta would add to the Giallorossi flavour by starting in a Trequartista role behind Luca Toni and Cassano.
However, a new theory is emerging from Donadoni’s play-book in a bid to halt Spain’s stars from passing the ball around quickly.
He could be considering a 4-1-4-1 formation with De Rossi protecting the defence and a midfield line-up of Camoranesi, Aquilani, Ambrosini and Udinese’s Antonio Di Natale.
This would exclude former Real Madrid man Cassano from the starting XI and once again leave Alessandro Del Piero on the bench.
