Euro 2016 Status Report: Italy

After this week’s packed schedule, with each country playing twice, there are only two friendly slots remaining before the 23-man squads have to be announced on May 31 – so countries are running out of time to test new players.

We have drawn on our extensive European network of websites to bring you our expert insight into how the Euro 2016 contenders are shaping up. Here Stefano Dolci, from Eurosport Italy, looks at how the Antonio Conte's team is shaping up...

Thursday 24: Spain

Tuesday 29: Germany

1) Who will be the striker? - Less than three months from the start of Euro 2016, Conte finds himself with so many bets and very few certainties. The only player guaranteed a spot in attack now is Graziano Pellé, who had two months out with an injury in December and January but in March regained a regular spot in Southampton and in his last 3 matches scored 3 goals and added 2 assists. For the other place, the battle is wide open. Eight weeks ago the favourite was Eder but in January he moved to Inter and lost confidence, minutes and above all else goals. Probably the best option would be Lorenzo Insigne, who has had a stunning season with Napoli but until now he didn’t show so much quality with the national side and, in the last few months, had some trouble with Conte. El Shaarawy, Zaza, Immobile and Bernardeschi are also hoping for a spot..

2) Should Conte renounce the experience of Pirlo, De Rossi and Thiago Motta? - In a competition where experience should always makes a difference Conte has the doubt of whether or not to choose three players with a great charisma and international pedigree like Pirlo, Thiago Motta and De Rossi. The legend of New York City should have little chance of selection for the Euro 2016… De Rossi has more chance, as does Motta, who, with Verratti has assembled an excellent midfield tandem at PSG.

"I wanted these two friendly matches with Spain and Germany, two of the favourite teams to win the European Championship, because it interests me to understand what the real gap is with these two teams. They are two very indicative tests beyond the result and I would have hoped in my heart I have all players available to see if some can become part of this group. I’m very enthusiastic for this challenge and on paper there are two or three stronger teams than us but we know that with work we can recover this gap."

Without injuries the line-up it is clear for 8 or 9 of the 11. Ahead of Buffon the defenders will be Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini and Darmian. In midfield, Marchisio and Verratti (the technical leader and the man who has to control the rhythm and arm the striker) are immovable while in the role of third midfield Florenzi is favourite ahead of Marco Parolo, Motta and Soriano. In attack Candreva and Pellé are currently assured of a jersey while it's open scrum for the last spot.

None that have not already been mentioned.

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Buffon (Juventus), Mattia Perin (Genoa), Salvatore Sirigu (Paris Saint-Germain).

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Sassuolo), Luca Antonelli (Milan), Davide Astori (Fiorentina), Andrea Barzagli (Juventus), Leonardo Bonucci (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Manchester United), Lorenzo de Silvestri (Sampdoria), Andrea Ranocchia (Inter Milan).

Midfielders: Alessandro Florenzi (Roma), Emanuele Giaccherini (Bologna), Jorginho (Napoli), Riccardo Montolivo (Milan), Thiago Motta (Paris Saint-Germain), Marco Parolo (Lazio), Roberto Soriano (Sampdoria), Marco Verratti (Paris Saint-Germain).

Forwards: Federico Bernardeschi (Fiorentina), Giacomo Bonaventura (Milan), Antonio Candreva (Lazio), Eder (Inter Milan), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Ciro Immobile (Torino), Lorenzo Insigne (Napoli), Graziano Pelle (Southampton), Simone Zaza (Juventus).