Comments, predictions Italy vs Belgium: Narrow victory

Having established a commanding lead in League A Group 2 after an impressive start to September, Italy welcome Belgium to Rome in a UEFA Nations League clash on Thursday.

While the Azzurri picked up maximum points last month, the Red Devils' players were criticised by their own captain after another disastrous defeat to France.

Latest Italy vs Belgium team information

Continuing the process of rejuvenating the Italian squad, Luciano Spalletti called up five players with no international experience, including Daniel Maldini - son of Azzurri legend Paolo Maldini - and young Roma midfielder Niccolo Pisilli.

Federico Chiesa remains absent due to lack of match fitness, Atalanta pair Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini are still recovering from ACL injuries, while in-form striker Moise Kean has withdrawn due to a back problem.

Lorenzo Lucca replaces Kean, who has scored five goals in nine games for Udinese this season, while midfield mainstay Nicolo Barella returns after missing last month's Nations League games due to sinus surgery.

With a number of strikers absent, Giacomo Raspadori is likely to partner Mateo Retegui up front in Spalletti's new 3-5-2 formation.

Meanwhile, Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco - who was born in Calabria but grew up in Germany - will be without a number of veteran stars when he returns to his homeland.

Former Roma loanee Romelu Lukaku will not be at the Stadio Olimpico, having taken a break from international football until 2025 to fully recover for new club Napoli. Captain Kevin De Bruyne is injured and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is also unavailable.

Tedesco has called up three players who play in Italy, including Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere and Juventus' Samuel Mbangula - the latter only made his first-team debut in August and scored on his Serie A debut.

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

Latest expected lineup for Italy vs Belgium

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

Latest Italy vs Belgium football commentary

After a disappointing summer in defending their European Championship title, Italy have bounced back strongly with a fast start to this year's Nations League campaign, and they will be looking for a third straight win when they host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico.

The Azzurri began their campaign with a surprise 3-1 win over France: after falling behind just 13 seconds from the opening whistle, Federico Dimarco scored a stunning equaliser, followed by goals from Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori to secure three valuable points in Paris.

Three days later, Luciano Spalletti's side beat Israel to take an early advantage in Group 2, further cementing the colourful coach's claims of a fresh start.

At Euro 2024, they failed to find a rhythm and eventually bowed out in the round of 16, so new faces have been brought in to help their quest for a first Nations League trophy in history.

Before Spalletti was appointed, Italy qualified for the 2023 Nations League finals by topping their group, but they could only finish third in the four-team tournament.

Now, with the aim of at least finishing in the top two of Group A to qualify for the new quarter-finals, the Azzurri need to pick up more points in this midweek game – and from Monday's rematch with Israel in Udine – to move closer to that goal, as La Nazionale's rebuilding process continues.

While the hosts tried to turn the page on past failures, familiar problems resurfaced during Belgium's September training camp, despite a strong start with a 3-1 win over Israel.

Captain and playmaker Kevin De Bruyne scored twice in the Red Devils' opening Nations League game, but days later he was bitterly critical of his team-mates' lack of determination against France.

Arriving in Lyon hoping to avenge their tepid exit from Euro 2024, their side were beaten 2-0 and received harsh criticism from their own captain.

Coach Domenico Tedesco is under pressure as he tries to help his side build momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but De Bruyne has temporarily withdrawn from international duty, along with all-time leading goalscorer Romelu Lukaku.

Coupled with unresolved disagreements with Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, this has left Tedesco facing questions over his man-management abilities, as he tries to retain big stars while integrating new faces.

After Belgium failed to qualify for the Nations League finals last season, an improvement this season could help the current manager retain his job, but he needs to pick up more points sooner rather than later. The situation within their squad is not looking good, although a new generation of talent is emerging to replace the old 'golden generation'.

Meanwhile, Italy are slowly finding their identity again after a rocky period since their Euro 2020 success. With fresh players in midfield and an impressive defence, the Azzurri are capable of beating their opponents and reaching nine points from nine in Group 2.

Italy vs Belgium score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the following results for the Italy vs Belgium match:

• Sportsmole: Italy 2-1 Belgium

• WhoScore: Italy 0-1 Belgium
• Our prediction: Italy 2-1 Belgium

When and where to watch Italy vs Belgium live?

To watch live the match between Italy and Belgium in the Nations League taking place at 1:45 a.m. on October 11, viewers can watch on TV360 here, Mytv system here or on online sports channels. Wishing viewers happy moments of watching football.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/nhan-dinh-du-doan-italy-vs-bi-chien-thang-sat-nut-231244.html