Roberto Mancini admits Marco Verratti likely to start against Wales | OneFootball

Italy head coach Roberto Mancini has admitted that midfielder Marco Verratti is likely to start their last Euro 2020 group game against Wales on Sunday.

The PSG midfielder is yet to feature for his country in the tournament after coming into it with a knee injury which has kept him out of action since the start of May.

The Azzurri have been in fine form without the 28-year-old having won their first two group games against Turkey and Switzerland 3-0.

However, it appears Verratti will be getting some much-needed match action against Robert Page’s side.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, Mancini said: “Marco is fine, but he needs to play.

“He has been training for a long time now.

“It is likely that he will play as a starter, then at the end of the first half we will see his conditions and his feelings.”

Italy will finish as group winners if they avoid defeat to Wales and it is an achievement Mancini is aiming for.

“We will play to win.

“It is our principle and we will live up to that.”

Italy will face one of Netherlands, Ukraine or Austria in the knockout rounds.