Tedesco confirms Belgium change system for Italy clash | OneFootball

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco confirms that he has changed their tactics to a three-man defence to mirror Italy’s system this evening.

It kicks off at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this Nations League clash on the Liveblog.

The Nazionale require just one point from the remaining two matches, tonight and on Sunday against France, to guarantee a spot in the quarter-final.

Tedesco transforms Belgium against Italy

Maxim De Cuyper goal Italy-Belgium (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images)

While UEFA have set Belgium out with a 4-2-3-1 formation, Tedesco told HNL.be that it is instead mirroring Italy’s 3-5-1-1.

“We have changed our approach a bit. This is partly out of necessity due to the many injuries, but we are not just mirroring Italy,” said the Italian-born tactician.

“Maxim De Cuyper will play as a left wing-back, while we have three central defenders and then we’ll see what happens after that.

“The important thing is that we can move the players around a bit during the game, but I think all the players are in their best positions.”

Another surprise in the line-up is the first senior start for Celtic midfielder Arne Engels, who is receiving only his third cap.

“He is in good shape and played very well with Celtic, so he is what we need right now.”

Belgium started the Nations League group well with a 3-1 victory over Israel, but have since lost both home and away to France around a comeback 2-2 draw in Italy.

They had been 2-0 down in that fixture until Lorenzo Pellegrini saw red.