Where to watch Italy vs Ukraine live on October 10, 2018

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Temas: TV Schedules, Italy, Ukraine, International Friendly

LiveSoccerTV's match preview is the source for team stats, lineups, head-to-head analysis, and broadcast listings for Italy's friendly with Ukraine, which kicks off at 14:45 EST/20:45 CET at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris.

In terms of form, Italy would do anything to trade places with Ukraine at the moment...

Italy's Nations League campaign has gotten off to an awful start under new coach Roberto Mancini. The Azzurri failed to pick up all three points in a surprise 1-1 draw with Poland and were beaten 1-0 by 2016 EURO winners Portugal sans star man Cristiano Ronaldo in their ranks and now face an uphill battle to even qualify from their trio.

By contrast, Ukraine have won two out of their first two games and are looking set for promotion to League A thanks to a strong showing against fellow Eastern European nations Czech Republic and Slovakia. Under the leadership of legendary Milan striker and 2004 Ballon d'Or winner Andriy Shevchenko, they have looked quite solid and will hope to take advantage of Italy's recent struggles to pick up an inspiring win at the Ferraris this evening.

How the two teams stack up in terms of head to head record

Both coaches will be familiar with each other having plied their respective trades in Serie A. Shevchenko, of course, is widely viewed as a Rossoneri icon, whilst Mancini played for Bologna, Sampdoria, and Lazio. It would have been at Mancini's time at Lazio (1997-2001) where he would have crossed paths with the Ukrainian striker, who had a first spell at the San Siro between 1999 and 2006.

Anyway, here is how the two sides compare in the head-to-head stakes.

Games played: 7

Italy wins: 6

Draws: 1

Ukraine wins: 0

So if Ukraine win tonight, it will be the first time the Eastern European nation have ever defeated the Azzurri.

Talking point #1 - No room for Balotelli...but Giovinco finally gets a recall

Mancini has already made some notable changes since his arrival. For starters, he did what no manager did since Cesare Prandelli earlier this year and got Mario Balotelli involved. Unfortunately, it backfired, as the Nice striker proved to be a major flop against Poland and was hauled off before the end of the match. However, the ex-Inter and Manchester City man seems to have learned from that error, as there's no room for Balotelli in his squad, but now has decided to recall another striker who has been snubbed by his predecessors: Sebastian Giovinco.

Despite impressing in MLS, Giovinco was oddly overlooked by both Conte and Ventura, and now fortunately has been given at least a chance to show what he can offer to the Azzurri. Although there are those who have criticized bringing him back into the fold due to the perceived notion that MLS is not yet as strong a league as its European, at the very least there is nothing wrong with giving him the opportunity to play and get involved - especially as at the moment Italy clearly are struggling to find individuals who can consistently put the ball in the back of the net.

Talking point #2 - Absentees and potential impact on Poland game...and Milan Derby

On a side note, Alessio Romagnoli, Patrick Cutrone and Danilo D'Ambrosio are all out of the squad due to injury. All three play for both Milan teams, with the first two featuring for AC Milan, while D'Ambrosio features for Inter, and with the Derby della Madonnina coming up shortly after the break, both managers will be hoping these results will not be too serious to impact their squad selections for that upcoming crunch clash.

In addition, Italy have a big game - a must win one - coming up against Poland next week, and the injuries to this trio leaves a huge hole in Mancini's squad.