Italy boss Roberto Mancini on Friday called up Sassauolo defender Gian Marco Ferrari to replace injured Juventus and Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini in Friday night's crunch World Cup qualifier against Switzerland at the Olimpico in Rome.
Mancini said Thursday that he was optimistic about the match that could qualify the Azzurri despite being hit by an injury crisis.
As well as Chiellini, AS Roma midfielders Nicolò Zaniolo and Lorenzo Pellegrini and Lazio centre-forward Ciro Immobile have all had to withdraw from the Azzurri squad due to injuries.
The Azzurri and Switzerland both have 14 points from six games, but Mancini's men are top of Group B on goal difference going into the last two qualifiers.
European champions Italy face Northern Ireland in Belfast on Monday in their last qualifier.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
