Belgium vs Italy – Combined XI ahead of Nations League clash

Belgium host Italy in the Nations League tonight with the Red Devils needing a win to preserve their hopes of qualification.

The Italians currently top a group also involving France and Israel, with three wins and a draw out of their four matches.

Both teams are endowed with high-calibre players, so let’s fashion a Combined XI displaying their greatest assets.

Belgium vs Italy – Nations League Combined Xl

Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma – Italy

Gianluigi Donnarumma takes the spot in between the sticks, due to the absence of Real Madrid and Belgium’s Thibaut Courtois, amid his fallout with Domenico Tedesco.

Donnarumma has collected almost 70 caps for his nation at the tender age of 25 and, considering the extended longevity of goalkeepers, could continue playing at the top level for another decade.

The highlight of his career so far is undoubtedly his display in the final of the 2020 European Championship, when he saved two penalties in the shootout against England to guide his nation to glory.

Right-back: Giovanni Di Lorenzo – Italy

Napoli are currently the league leaders in Serie A and Di Lorenzo is the captain aiming to marshal them to a fourth Scudetto.

Since emerging from Serie C in 2017, the full-back has developed into one of Europe’s most complete right-backs. A productive couple of campaigns with Empoli saw Napoli swoop for his services in 2019 and he has been a mainstay at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium ever since.

Centre-back: Alessandro Buongiorno – Italy

With the retirement of the old guard from both nations the quality of central defence has been exhausted in recent years. Gone are the days of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini or Jan Vertonghen, Toby Alderweireld and Vincent Kompany.

Our fist centre-back is a defender on the cusp of making his mark for his country; Alessandro Buongiorno.

Fittingly, his surname translates to ‘Good Morning’ in English; which perfectly encapsulates the new dawn in the Italian backline. The 25-year-old was signed by Napoli for €35 million this summer from Torino and he has instantly made his mark in Naples.

He has started all but one of Napoli’s league games and he has helped revolutionise a team that struggled last season.In fact, the only game he didn’t feature in was a humbling 3-0 defeat away to Hellas Verona, one of only two losses they have suffered this term. Slowly but surely, Buongiorno is becoming indispensable for the Partenopei.

Centre-back: Alessandro Bastoni – Italy

Partnering Buongiorino we have his namesake Alessandro Bastoni.

Bastoni is widely considered one of the best left-sided defenders in the continent and has been an integral part of a highly competitive Inter Milan outfit for a number of years.

The defender is a prime example of the modern-day defender as he has the technical and physical attributes to contribute in all phases of play.

Left-back: Federico Dimarco – Italy

It’s a clean sweep in defence for the Azzurri as Inter Milan full-back Dimarco takes the final defensive spot in this combined XI.

The 27-year-old is a huge asset for club and country and is a massive attacking outlet, having recorded 31 goal contributions from wing-back over the last two seasons.

IBelgian full-back Maxim de Cuyper is a budding talent emerging from Club Brugge’s academy. The 23-year-old even scored against Italy when the two sides last went to battle in October. However, De Cuyper has a long way to go before he can compete with the established Dimarco.

Midfield: Amadou Onana – Belgium

Finally, Belgium make their mark in this team. The imposing presence of Aston Villa’s Onana makes him a necessary inclusion in this starting eleven.

Italy boast the talents of Davide Frattesi and Nicolo Barella but every winning team has to have the right amount of balance. Onana combines grit and power with technical elegance.

Midfield: Youri Tielemans – Belgium

Nicolo Barella is unavailable for tonight’s clash, freeing a place for Youri Tielemans in midfield.

Onana’s partner for club and country, the pair complement each other well. Onana is the workhorse, capable of covering acres of ground and dominating opposition midfielders with his natural strength and athleticism.

That facilitates the brilliance of Tielemans who, when given the licence to roam freely, is able to turn games with defence-splitting passes or a venomous strikes from range.

Midfield: Kevin De Bruyne – Belgium

Italy stole the defence, but this Belgium midfield is up there among the best on the planet. The genius that is Kevin De Bruyne is arguably the first name on this teamsheet for his unique creative prowess.

The Manchester City midfielder may not be fully fit, but even a half-fit De Bruyne deservedly occupies the number 10 role.

Right-wing: Jeremy Doku – Belgium

Alright. We have a confession. The distinct lack of wide options from either side has left us with little choice but to include a player who in the last few days has withdrawn from the Belgium camp. Please forgive us as we include the Manchester City trickster.

Should he get more goals and assists? Sure. But very few players in this modern generation of footballers can outwit full-backs quite like Doku. End-product has been the one aspect holding Doku back from exploding into one of the world’s best.

Left-wing: Leandro Trossard – Belgium

Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard features on the opposite flank. The Belgian has become a crucial cog in Mikel Arteta’s well-oiled Arsenal machine, with a particular proficiency when coming off the bench.

He gets the nod from the start for us with the other options decidedly inferior. But keep an eye on PSV Eindhoven’s Johan Bakayako. He’s got bucketloads of potential.

Forward: Mateo Retegui – Italy

This striker spot was by far the hardest decision of the lot, but since we are basing this on current form, Retegui simply has to lead the line.

The Italian is the top scorer in Serie A with 11 goals in only 12 appearances for Atalanta. His competitor, Romelu Lukaku, trails by a significant distance with four goals for Napoli.

Lukaku has that proven pedigree on this stage, but you can’t underestimate momentum and confidence in football. The diminutive striker may just be Ciro Immobile’s successor. And to think he used to represent Argentina.

Read – Belgium vs Italy – Match preview and team news

See more – Five Premier League summer signings who have struggled this season

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