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Line-ups: Four Italy debutants
Saturday 6 June, 2009

Federico Marchetti, Gaetano D’Agostino, Davide Santon and Giuseppe Mascara all make their Italy debuts from the start against Northern Ireland.

The Azzurri are fielding an experimental side for this international friendly at the Arena Garibaldi in Pisa.

Mascara becomes the first Catania player ever to receive an Italy cap and starts in a trident attack with Giampaolo Pazzini and Villarreal’s Giuseppe Rossi.

Santon only made his Serie A bow in January and his only Under-21 game on March 31, but has progressed to the senior squad and will be going to the Confederations Cup.

D’Agostino has been linked with Juventus, but his season with Udinese has been enough to earn his maiden call.

Cagliari shot-stopper Marchetti was not expected to start, but has beaten Morgan De Sanctis to this spot.

Northern Ireland also give debuts to Chris Casement, Colin Coates, Corry Evans and Steve Carson.

Italy: Marchetti; Santon, Legrottaglie, Gamberini, Grosso; Gattuso, D’Agostino, Montolivo; Mascara, Pazzini, Rossi

Northern Ireland: Tuffey; Johnson, Casement, Coates, McGivern; C Evans; Little, O’Connor, McCann, Carson; Healy


Watch: Italy-Northern Ireland LIVE
You can watch Italy’s experimental new side take on Northern Ireland in a friendly tonight on BBC3 or BBC2 NI. More

Lippi looks beyond Irish test
Ahead of tonight’s friendly with Northern Ireland, Marcello Lippi explains why he chose the 23-man squad for the Confederations Cup. More

Worthington eyes Italy upset
Northern Ireland Coach Nigel Worthington is confident he can “get a decent result” against an experimental Italy side on Saturday. More

Lippi: Santon destined for greatness
Marcello Lippi hails Inter teenager Davide Santon ahead of his senior Azzurri debut against Northern Ireland. More



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Pictures: Richiardi (Milan)
& Getty Images (UK)


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