Conte: Pirlo and Verratti will compete for one spot

Antonio Conte says only one of Andrea Pirlo or Marco Verratti will start in the midfield as he gets ready to make his competitive debut as Italy's head coach.

The Azzuri begin their Euro 2016 qualifying campaing in Oslo against Norway on Tuesday, but the biggest news of the day may come from Conte's pre-match talk with Rai Sport, via Football Italia.

“Yes it is true, a midfield of [Daniele] De Rossi, Pirlo and Verratti is too much. I see De Rossi as in the team because he has the ability to also play as a central defender," Conte said.

Pirlo confirmed he would play for Italy again after wavering on his commitment to Italy following the World Cup.

That means Verratti could be the odd man out when Pirlo returns.

“So when Pirlo returns, one between him and Verratti will come out as a central midfielder.”

Choices are a good thing to have for any manager, and this is certainly a big one for the former Juventus manager.