Nations League PREVIEW | Belgium v Italy

With just two matchdays to go, Belgium lock horns with Italy in the Nations League to secure a place in the quarter-finals. 

It is win-or-die for Belgium in this match as a victory will keep them in contention to qualify for the quarters. Having picked up only four points from four games in the Nations League, the Red Devils are on the verge of getting left out of the competition’s knockouts for this edition.

Belgium faced France twice since September but failed to earn a win both times. Kolo Muani and Ousmane Dembele spoiled Belgium’s hopes in the first match and the home reverse turned out to be a frustrating show for Domenico Tedesco’s men as Youri Tielemans missed a penalty and Luis Openda’s only goal could not invigorate a comeback in front of Kolo Muani’s brace. 

Meanwhile, Italy come into this match after securing a thrilling 4-1 victory over Israel last month. Goals from Mateo Retegui, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Davide Frattesi nullified Mohammad Abu Fani’s 66th-minute goal to send Italy to the top of the group table.

The Azzurri just need to deny the hosts a win tomorrow to seal their place in the quarter-finals. Luciano Spalletti has breathed new life into this side and that showed during the comeback victory against France back in September when Bradley Barcola gave Les Bleus an early lead but strikes from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori settled the three points in Italy’s favour.

Results from their last five matches across all competitions

Belgium:

L D L W L

Italy:

W D W W L

Team News

Domenico Tedesco will be without the services of Kevin De Bruyne, Thomas Meunier, Jeremy Doku, Charles De Ketelaere, Youri Tielemans and Malick Fofana. 

Romelu Lukaku is back in the squad. Samuel Mbangula, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Killian Sardella are called up. 

As for Italy, Manuel Locatelli is set to compete with Nicolo Rovella for a place in the midfield. Samuele Ricci, Riccardo Calafiori and Gianluca Scamacca are out with long-term injuries. 

Coming on the back of red-hot goalscoring forms, Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean are available for selection.

Predicted XIs

Belgium (4-3-3): Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate; Mangala, Onana, Vermeeren; Bakayoko, Lukaku, Trossard

Italy (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Barella, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Raspadori; Retegui

Trambak Bhattacherjee | GIFN