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[monks data]
Italy national football team
Nations League | League A
Oct 10, 2024 at 7.45pm UK
Stadio Olimpico
Belgium national football team

Italy
2 - 2
Belgium

Cambiaso (1'), Retegui (24')
Donnarumma (90'), Pisilli (90+6')
Pellegrini (40')
FT(HT: 2-1)
De Cuyper (42'), Trossard (61')
Trossard (65')

Preview: Italy vs. Belgium - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Nations League clash between Italy and Belgium, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

Setting the pace atop League A Group 2 after a superb start in September, Italy will welcome Belgium to Rome for a UEFA Nations League contest on Thursday.

While the Azzurri secured maximum points last month, the Red Devils were castigated by their own captain following another dismal defeat to France.


Match preview

Federico Dimarco of Italy celebrates scoring against France on September 6, 2024 © Imago

After making a tame defence of their European title during the summer, Italy bounced back by getting off to a fast start in this season's Nations League, and they will be seeking a third successive win when they meet Belgium at Stadio Olimpico.

The Azzurri kicked off their campaign with a shock 3-1 victory over France: having conceded a calamitous goal within just 13 seconds of kickoff, Federico Dimarco scored a sublime equaliser, then strikes from Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori wrapped up three points in Paris.

Three days later, Luciano Spalletti's side saw off Israel to secure an early lead in Group 2, giving more credence to their mercurial coach's claims of a fresh start.

At Euro 2024, they never found their rhythm and ultimately limped out in the last 16, so new blood has been brought in to aid their latest quest for a first Nations League crown.

Just before Spalletti was appointed, Italy reached the 2023 finals by winning their group, but they could only manage a third-place finish in the four-team tournament.

Now aiming to go at least one better this time around, Italians must claim a top-two placing in their League A group, which would see them qualify for the new quarter-final stage.

Picking up more points in midweek - and from Monday's return match against Israel in Udine - would put them on track to do so, as La Nazionale's rebuild continues.

Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne during defeat to France on September 9, 2024.© Imago

While their hosts have tried to turn a page on past failings, familiar problems resurfaced during Belgium's September get-together, which had started well enough, with a 3-1 win over Israel.

Captain and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne scored twice in the Red Devils' Nations League opener, but a few days later he was caught bitterly lamenting his teammates' lack of fight against old foes France.

Having headed to Lyon seeking some revenge for their tame exit from Euro 2024, which came at the hands of Les Bleus just two months previously, Belgium were beaten 2-0 and came in for some stinging criticism from their frustrated skipper.

Under-fire boss Domenico Tedesco is hoping to help his side build momentum before looking towards the 2026 World Cup, but De Bruyne has since temporarily stepped down from international duty, alongside all-time top scorer Romelu Lukaku.

In addition to his unresolved spat with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, that has drawn questions about Tedesco's approach to man-management, as he tries to keep several big egos content while integrating fresh faces.

After Belgium were unable to reach the last Nations League finals, showing some progress this season might keep their current coach in a job, but he could do with picking up more points sooner rather than later.

Italy Nations League form:


Italy form (all competitions):


Belgium Nations League form:


Belgium form (all competitions):



Team News

Luciano Spalletti, head coach of Italy looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024, on June 29, 2024© Imago

Continuing his process of reducing Italy's age profile, Luciano Spalletti has included five uncapped players in his latest squad, including Daniel Maldini - son of Azzurri legend Paolo Maldini - and young Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli.

Federico Chiesa is still absent due to his lack of match fitness, Atalanta BC duo Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini are on the long road back from ACL injuries, while in-form Fiorentina striker Moise Kean has withdrawn because of a back problem.

Lorenzo Lucca will replace the latter, having scored five goals in nine games for Udinese so far this season, while midfield mainstay Nicolo Barella is back after missing last month's Nations League matches following sinus surgery.

With several forwards missing, Giacomo Raspadori or Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini will support Mateo Retegui up front.

Meanwhile, Belgium boss Domenico Tedesco - born in Calabria but brought up in Germany - will be without some senior stars as he returns to the land of his birth.

Ex-Roma loanee Romelu Lukaku will not appear at Stadio Olimpico, having taken a national-team sabbatical until 2025 in order to get fully fit for new club Napoli. Injured captain Kevin De Bruyne and estranged goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois are also unavailable.

Tedesco has called up three Italy-based players, including Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere and Juventus winger Samuel Mbangula - the latter only made his senior debut in August, scoring in his first Serie A appearance.

In Lukaku's absence, Lois Openda should start up front, while Arsenal's Leandro Trossard is back in the visitors' squad after being overlooked for September's fixtures.


Italy possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori; Bellanova, Barella, Ricci, Tonali, Dimarco; Pellegrini; Retegui

Belgium possible starting lineup:
Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Debast, Theate; Mangala, Tielemans; Lukebakio, Trossard, Doku; Openda


SM words green background

We say: Italy 2-1 Belgium

All is not well in the Belgian camp, despite a new generation of talent emerging to replace the 'golden' old guard. Meanwhile, Italy are starting to re-find their identity following some time in the wilderness after success at Euro 2020.

With fresh legs in midfield and an impressive array of defenders available, the Azzurri should see off their visitors and make it nine points from nine in Group 2.


For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.


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Game History

How you voted: Italy vs Belgium

Italy
76.1%
Draw
12.1%
Belgium
11.8%
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Tables header RHS

League A1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Portugal Portugal431010
2 Croatia Croatia42117
3 Poland Poland41124
4 Scotland flag Scotland40131

League A2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Italy Italy431010
2 France France43019
3 Belgium Belgium41124
4 Israel Israel40040

League A3

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany431010
2 Netherlands Netherlands41215
3 Hungary Hungary41215
4 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina40131

League A4

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Spain Spain431010
2 Denmark Denmark42117
3 Serbia Serbia41124
4 Switzerland Switzerland40131

League B1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic42117
2 Georgia Georgia42026
3 Albania national flag Albania42026
4 Ukraine Ukraine41124

League B2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Greece Greece440012
2 England flag England43019
3 Ireland Rep. Ireland41033
4 Finland Finland40040

League B3

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Norway Norway42117
2 Austria Austria42117
3 Slovenia Slovenia42117
4 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan40131

League B4

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Turkey Turkey431010
2 Wales flag Wales42208
3 Iceland Iceland41124
4 Montenegro Montenegro40040

League C1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Sweden Sweden431010
2 Slovakia Slovakia431010
3 Estonia Estonia41033
4 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan40040

League C2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Romania Romania440012
2 Kosovo flag Kosovo43019
3 Cyprus Cyprus41033
4 Lithuania Lithuania40040

League C3

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland42117
2 Belarus Belarus41306
3 Bulgaria Bulgaria41215
4 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg40222

League C4

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Macedonia N. Macedonia431010
2 Armenia Armenia41124
3 Latvia Latvia41124
4 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands40313

League D1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar31205
2 San Marino flag San Marino21013
3 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein30212

League D2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Republic of Moldova Moldova32016
2 Malta flag Malta32016
3 Andorra flag Andorra20020


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