Italy take on Belgium tomorrow, with both sides eager to register another three points on the board in their UEFA Nations League bid. The Azzurri started their campaign with consecutive wins over France and Israel, catapulting them to the top of the Nations League table.
Against France, they were the underdogs, with the 2022 World Cup finalists tipped to decapacitate an Italy side reeling from an early 2024 European Championship exit.
It looked like an ominous night for Italy when Bradley Barcola stole the ball off Giovanni Di Lorenzo before blasting beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma, who had barely put his gloves on when he had to pick out the ball from the back of his net.
However, Luciano Spalletti’s side showed they are made of sterner stuff as they fought to get back into the game. Italy equalised through an incredible goal via Federico DiMarco’s wand of a left foot as he pierced a stunning volley into the back of the net.
Inter Milan midfielder Davide Frattesi gave Italy the lead after the half-time break before Giacomo Raspadori put a gloss on proceedings with the third goal. The four-time world champions defeated Israel in Hungary with Frattesi in the thick of the action again and scoring for the second successive game.
Meanwhile, Belgium secured a 3-1 win over Israel, with captain Kevin De notching a brace and Youri Tielemans putting the fine print.
Unfortunately for Domenico Tedesco’s side, they were played off the park against France, with Les Bleus eager to bounce back from the loss to Italy. The Red Devils never got to settle into the game, as France dominated the show on the way to a 2-0 victory.
With both sides set to trade blows at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow, the stage is set for one team to come out on top in this battle for supremacy.
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Head to Head
Italy have beaten Belgium in their last three meetings, including a 2-1 victory to seal third place in the 2020/21 Nations League finals. They met twice at Euro 2020 and Euro 2016, and on both occasions, La Nazionale came out on top, continuing to show their supremacy.
Belgium’s last win over Italy came in a friendly in 2015 when goals from Jan Vertonghen, Michy Batshuayi, and De Bruyne had blotted out Antonio Candreva’s third-minute strike.
The Azzurri will be desperate to put behind the atrocious defence of their Euro 2020 title earlier this summer. They are eager to go one further than they did in 2023 when they reached the semi-final.
Italy must secure a top-two place in their League A group to qualify for the new quarter-final stage. If Italy pick up points tomorrow and from Monday’s return match against Israel in Udine, they will be on track to reach the final eight.
The Belgians endured an equally miserable Euro tournament, going out in the same round as Italy but with just two goals scored in four games and none in their last two. Tedesco has not improved their fortunes since replacing Roberto Martinez.
Team News
Liverpool attacker Federico Chiesa will not join the Italy squad due to his lack of match fitness. He has barely played for the Reds this season.
Atalanta pair Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini are out with long-term ACL injuries. Meanwhile, in-form Fiorentina centre-forward Moise Kean withdrew from the squad due to a back problem.
Udinese striker Lorenzo Lucca will replace Kean after bagging five goals in nine games this season. In midfield, Nicolo Barella is back after missing last month’s Nations League matches as he underwent sinus surgery.
Spalletti has called up five new faces for Italy, including Monza star Daniel Maldini, whose father and grandfather represented the Italian national team.
On the other hand, Belgium boss Tedesco is without his marquee players for the October games. Kevin De Bruyne is battling an injury that has ruled him out. “He asked me to be out for this camp and for the November camp to take care of his body,” the coach said.
All-time top scorer Romelu Lukaku is also unavailable, staying behind in Napoli to continue his acclimatisation with his new environment. Tedesco decided to rest the striker and allow him to settle into life in the southern Italian club.
Estranged goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has stuck to his guns about not playing for Belgium until Tedesco leaves and will not be in the squad for this round of fixtures. In his stead, Koen Casteels of Saudi Pro League club Al-Qadsiah will start between the sticks.
Tedesco called three players based in Italy, including Atalanta attacker Charles De Ketelaere and Juventus winger Samuel Mbangula. The Bianconeri man made his senior debut in August and scored a goal to mark the occasion.
With Lukaku staying back, RB Leipzig star Lois Openda, who has netted five goals this term, should start up front. Arsenal forward Leandro Trossard is back in the squad after missing the September games.
Italy Potential Starting Line-up:
(3-5-2): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori; Raoul Bellanova, Nicolo Barella, Samuele Ricci, Sandro Tonali, Federico Dimarco; Giacomo Raspadori, Mateo Retegui.
Belgium Potential Starting Line-up:
(4-2-3-1): Koen Casteels; Timothy Castagne, Wout Faes, Zino Debast, Arthur Theate; Amadou Onana, Youri Tielemans; Dodi Lukebakio, Leandro Trossard, Jeremy Doku; Lois Openda.
Prediction
As Italy prepare to face Belgium, the tactical edge seems firmly in favour of the Azzurri. Belgium boasts individual talent, but they will be without their three best players – De Bruyne, Courtois, and Lukaku.
They are defensively vulnerable and will likely give Italy chances to do damage. Belgium’s attack lacks the cohesion and firepower necessary to threaten a well-organised Italian defence.
Italy’s recent performances suggest they are hitting their stride. Since the Euro tournament concluded, they’ve shown remarkable resilience and tactical fluidity. The Azzurri’s midfield, spearheaded by Barella and complemented by the dynamic DiMarco in the wing-back role, will likely find gaping holes behind the Belgian rearguard.
Belgium’s reliance on a patchwork line-up could expose them to counterattacks, especially against an Italian side adept at transitioning swiftly from defence to attack. Openda may find himself isolated as he seeks to break down Italy’s disciplined backline. Meanwhile, Italy’s forwards, including the in-form Retegui, will capitalise on any defensive lapses.
Predictions lean heavily towards an Italian victory, with a probable 2-0 scoreline. The combination of Italy’s tactical superiority and Belgium’s disjointed squad will likely result in Italy outgunning the Red Devils, further solidifying their position atop the Nations League table.
For Belgium, the road ahead looks daunting as they seek to regain their competitive edge amidst mounting challenges.
Prediction 2-0
