Daniele De Rossi has failed to make Italy's starting lineup for the Euro 2016 quarter-final meeting against Germany due to a thigh strain.
The Roma ace took part in training on the eve of this evening's match, but has failed to fully shake off the injury sustained in the victory over Spain last time out.
Stefano Sturaro is the man to fill the midfield hole for the Azzurri, who boast a proud record of eight competitive games without defeat against their opponents heading into tonight's match in Bordeaux.
Germany boss Joachim Low has also made one change to his side by bringing in Benedikt Howedes at the back, with Julian Draxler - a scorer in the 3-0 rout of Slovakia - dropping down to the bench.
That means a likely shuffle of the pack, Low matching Italy's 3-5-2 formation as Die Mannschaft aim to keep alive their hopes of lifting the European Championship trophy for a fourth time.
Germany: Neuer, Kimmich, Howedes, Hummels, Boateng, Hector, Khedira, Kroos, Ozil, Muller, Gomez
Subs:Can, Draxler, Gotze, Leno, Mustafi, Podolski, Sane, Schurrle, Schweinsteiger, Tah, Ter Stegen, Weigl
Italy: Buffon, Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini, Florenzi, Sturaro, Parolo, Giaccherini, De Sciglio, Pelle, Eder
Subs: Bernardeschi, Candreva, Darmian, De Rossi, El Shaarawy, Immobile, Insigne, Marchetti, Ogbonna, Sirigu, Zaza
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