Francesco Pio Esposito may be in line for his first start with the Italian national team in Tuesday`s World Cup qualifier against Israel. This opportunity has arisen as Moise Kean was unable to participate in Sunday`s training session and is unlikely to be fit for the match in Udine.
Italy secured a 3-1 victory against Estonia in their previous World Cup qualifying match on Saturday. Kean opened the scoring early but was substituted shortly after due to injury, with Esposito coming on to earn his second cap for the senior side.
Reports from Sunday indicate that Kean was absent from team training in Udine following the Estonia game. He underwent further medical examinations at a separate facility, and sources suggest it is highly improbable he will be ready to start against Israel.
With Kean expected to be sidelined and manager Gennaro Gattuso favoring a two-striker formation, Esposito is the likely candidate to partner with Mateo Retegui in a 4-4-2 system for his full Italy debut on Tuesday evening.
While Giacomo Raspadori is also in the squad, he was utilized in a wide position against Estonia. Roberto Piccoli, Kean`s teammate at Fiorentina, is another option at center-forward, but he was not included in the matchday squad for the Estonia game, making it unlikely he would be chosen ahead of Esposito for the Israel match.