Italy captain Gianluigi Donnarumma has recently admitted that 'the world came crashing down' when the Azzurri missed out on another World Cup after their play-off loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March.
The goalkeeper is part of a youthful Italian set-up that face games against Luxembourg and Greece this week while the world's best prepare for the start of the World Cup.
The Red Lions host the Azzurri bidding to seize on the momentum of back-to-back Nations League wins over Malta in March.
Luxembourg v Italy Tips Summary
Best Bet - Italy to win & Under 2.5 goals @ 12/5
Alternative Bet - Pio Esposito to score first @ 3/1
Bet Builder - Both teams to score - No, Most goals in 2nd half & Most corners: Italy @ 9/2
Luxembourg v Italy Prediction
Best Bet: Italy to win & Under 2.5 goals @ 12/5
This is certainly not where Italy wanted their summer to be headed. They've failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup, an unprecedented level of underachievement for the four-time winners.
The latest failure came via a penalty shootout defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March, after which icons Gennaro Gattuso and Gianluigi Buffon left their Azzurri posts.
Silvio Baldini has been placed in interim charge, stepping up from his post as Under-21s boss and he named a very youthful 24-man squad for the double header with Luxembourg and Greece as the Italian national side begins a wholesale rebuild.
Baldini targeted the culture of Serie A clubs overlooking homegrown talent when he addressed the press last week and among this squad only Manchester City goalkeeper Donnarumma, Marco Palestra, Niccolo Pisilli and Pio Esposito have been capped at senior level.
Prior to those March wins over Malta, Luxembourg had lost eight and drawn one of their previous nine matches.
Under 2.5 goals has obliged in five of Luxembourg's previous seven games and three of Italy's last four. A low-scoring victory for a youthful Italian side is the forecast for this tussle at the Stade de Luxembourg.
Alternative Bet: Pio Esposito to score first @ 3/1
Despite not turning 21 until the end of this month, Inter Milan forward Pio Esposito is going to be one of the more experienced members of this Italian squad.
He's had an incredible year, breaking into the first team with the Nerazzurri and helping them to Lo Scudetto, while also becoming a fully-fledged international.
While the 2026 World Cup qualifiers ultimately ended in misery for Italy, Esposito can be pleased with his contribution after scoring against Estonia, Moldova and Norway back in October and November.
He was on the scoresheet for Inter in their season-ending 3-3 draw at Bologna and, in a squad lacking in experience, could be the player to make a difference here.
Luxembourg v Italy Bet Builder Tip
Both teams to score - No
Most goals in 2nd half
Most corners: Italy
Pays 9/2
Luxembourg have failed to score in seven of their last 10 games and may struggle to punch holes in Italy, even allowing for the youthful squad Baldini has picked.
Donnarumma brings a strong presence between the sticks and Italy can likely secure a fourth clean sheet in seven games.
In Italy's last six games 14 goals have been scored and 11 of those have come after half-time. This friendly is hardly likely to be played at a high tempo and the bulk of the goalscoring action may come after the interval.
Italy faced Northern Ireland in their play-off semi-final in March and won the corner count 12-3.
Despite winning 3-0 at home to Malta last time out, Luxembourg lost the corner count 6-3 having faced 10 men for the final 25 minutes.
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Key Match Stats
Luxembourg have failed to score in seven of their previous 10 games
Three of Italy's last four games have featured under 2.5 goals
In Italy's squad only Gianluigi Donnarumma, Marco Palestra, Niccolo Pisilli and Francesco Pio Esposito have been capped at senior level
Prior to their March wins over Malta, Luxembourg had lost eight of their previous nine games (D1)
Inter Milan forward Pio Esposito has scored three times for Italy in earning seven caps
The Azzurri have won seven of the eight previous meetings with Luxembourg (D1)
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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
