Belgium vs Italy – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Belgium welcome Italy to Brussels tonight as they look to revive their hopes of qualifying for the Nations League playoffs.

Italy currently lead Nations League A Group 2, with 10 points from their first four games, and a point tonight would guarantee the Azzurri’s progression into the next stage.

Belgium need to win to have a chance of bypassing second-placed France, who hold a five-point gap with two games left in the group.

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is the biggest omission from Domenico Tedesco’s 25-man squad as the stopper continues to recover from a muscular issue. Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku and Atalanta’s Charles de Ketelaere have been replaced by former Arsenal midfielder Albert Sambi Lokonga and RB Leipzig youngster Arthur Vermeeren. Kevin de Bruyne was deemed fit enough to be included.

Juventus full-back Nicolo Savona received his maiden call-up to the Italian national squad last week after impressing for Thiago Motta’s side. The 21-year-old was playing in Serie C last season for Juventus’ Next Gen team.

However, Nicolo Barella, Federico Chiesa and Moise Kean will all be unavailable for Thursday’s clash.

Belgium vs Italy – Match preview and team news

Form

Belgium: LWLDW

Belgian football is going through a transitional phase as the superstars of the ‘Golden Generation’ make way for a fresh crop of talent.

Since their narrow exit to France in the last 16 of the European Championship, Domenico Tedesco’s side have only won one of their four games.

A 3-1 home victory against Israel in September preceded defeats home and away to France and a 2-2 draw with Italy in Rome in the Nations League.

It was defeat on home soil in their last match as France beat them 2-1 courtesy of a brace from Paris-Saint Germain’s Randal Kolo Muani. Aston Villa’s Youri Tielemans missed a penalty for Belgium in the first half with the score goalless.

Italy: LWWDW

Since being knocked out by Switzerland in the Round of 16 at Euro 2024, Italy are unbeaten in four games.

The Azzurri have done the double over Israel and earned a famous triumph in France on the opening game of their Nations League campaign, as they came from behind to win 3-1 in the French capital.

Luciano Spalletti’s outfit will be looking to make amends for their premature exit during their European Championship defence and edge closer to the Nations League finals with three points in Brussels.

They comfortably beat Israel in their last match with Giovanni Di Lorenzo netting a brace.

Last Meeting: Italy 2-2 Belgium, Nations League, 14th October 2024

Belgium managed to produce a comeback the last time the two sides met as goals from Maxim de Cuyper and Leandro Trossard earned them a point in Rome.

Italy had got off to a flying start as Federico Dimarco set up Andrea Cambiaso to score his first goal for his country inside the first minute.

The Azzurri doubled their advantage shortly after as Mateo Retegui tapped in on the rebound from Cambiaso’s drilled effort, following another sumptuous pass by Dimarco.

But the decisive moment of the contest occurred with five minutes remaining of the first period as disaster struck for hosts.

Following a VAR check, it was decided that Lorenzo Pellegrini’s late lunge on Arthur Theate was dangerous and the Roma midfielder was given his marching orders. Belgium were given a lifeline and they made their numerical advantage count as De Cuyper struck his first goal on the international stage from distance just before the interval.

Trossard then poked in the equaliser to ensure that Belgium wouldn’t return home empty-handed.

Predicted Lineups

Belgium: Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Theate; Tielemans, Onana; Lukebakio, Trossard, Bakayoko; Lukaku

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Locatelli, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Retegui.

Who is the referee?

Romanian referee Radu Petrescu will be the match official. He will be assisted by Radu Ghignuleac and Mircea Mihail Gigoriu while Marcel Birsan will be the fourth official. The VAR will be Catalin Popaand he will be assisted by Andrei Chivulete.

What channel will Belgium vs Italy be on?

This match will not be broadcast in the United Kingdom but will be available to watch for free on Viaplay International’s YouTube channel.

What time is kick-off?

Kick-off at the Stade Roi Baudouin will be at 19:45 GMT on Thursday 14th November 2024.

Odds

Belgium – 8/5

Draw – 23/10

Italy – 7/4

Read – Five of the best games to watch during the international break

See more – Five Premier League players set for international debuts this month

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