Overview
After the disappointment of EURO 2024, the Italian team came back strongly by winning both of their first two matches in the Nations League. They came from behind to beat France 3-1, then continued to beat Israel 2-1 to take the lead in Group 2 of League A.
In this training session, coach Luciano Spalletti still has the same core of players as Frattesi, Raspadori, Retegui, Dimarco and Tonali. In addition, the Italian strategist added central defender Gabbia and the striker duo in good form, Lucca and Daniel Maldini. This promises to be a breath of fresh air for the Azzurri.
Meanwhile, Belgium just suffered a 0-2 defeat to France in their most recent match. That was their second consecutive defeat to Les Bleus in a few months. More notably, in the last 4 matches, Belgium's strikers have failed to score 3 times.
Difficulties piled up for coach Tedesco's team when Romelu Lukaku and De Bruyne refused to join the national team. Meanwhile, midfielder Amadou Onana, who was in good form, was forced to withdraw at the last minute due to injury.
Belgium have often suffered unfavorable results against Italy in recent times. Specifically, in the last 6 confrontations, Azzurri won 5.
Furthermore, the Azzurri have won 16 of the 24 meetings between the two teams. With better form, Italy will probably overcome Belgium once again.
Human resources situation
Federico Chiesa remains absent due to a lack of fitness, while Atalanta duo Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini have ligament injuries. In addition, in-form Fiorentina striker Moise Kean has withdrawn with a back problem.
On the other side of the front line, apart from Lukaku and De Bruyne, Thibaut Courtois is also absent. With Lukaku absent, Lois Openda is likely to start, supported by Leandro Trossard.
Expected lineup:
Italy: Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Bellanova, Barella, Ricci, Tonali, Dimarco, Raspadori, Retegui.
Belgium: Casteels, Castagne, Faes, Debast, Theate, Onana, Tielemans, Lukebakio, Trossard, Doku, Openda.
The match between Italy and Belgium takes place at 1:45 a.m. on October 11 (Vietnam time).
