Yahoo Sports Belgium vs Italy predicted lineups and team news
Belgium will be looking to turn the tide after a disappointing start to their Uefa Nations League 2024-25 campaign as they host Italy on Thursday, 14th November at 7:45pm (UK time).
Italy head to Stade Roi Baudouin in Brussels looking to extend their lead at the top of Group A2.
Belgium vs Italy predicted lineups
Belgium (4-3-3): Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Theate, Cuyper; Mangala, Engels, Onana; Lukebakio, Openda, Lukaku
Italy (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma; Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Barella, Tonali, Dimarco; Raspadori; Retegui
After picking up just four points from their opening four games, Beligum have been handed more bad news with the withdrawal of some key figures from their squad. They join some already on the sidelines to force Domenico Tedesco to call up some inexperienced players.
The Italian-German manager is under a bit of pressure after leading the star-studded Belgians to just 12 wins from 22 matches since he took charge last year. Recent defeats home and away to France certainly don’t help his cause.
Italy, meanwhile, are showing some excellent form after their disappointing Euro 2024 campaign, with 10 points from a possible 12 leaving them top of the pile in Uefa Nations League Group A2.
A point would be enough for the Azzurri to seal a quarter-final berth in the Nations League, but they will be keen to clinch top spot ahead of their meeting with France on Sunday.
Belgium vs Italy team news
Belgium, already without their star player Kevin De Bruyne, have been dealt a cruel hand to take into this crucial international break. De Bruyne’s Manchester City teammate Jeremy Doku has withdrawn from the squad along with Atalanta’s Charles De Ketalaere.
Joaquin Seys of Club Brugge and Lyon’s Malick Fofana have also been forced to withdraw, so Tedesco is set to welcome a raft of new faces into the Red Devils’ setup.
Juventus’ 17-year-old midfielder Samuel Mbangula, along with the defensive duo of Killian Sardella and Matte Smets, will all be hoping to make their debuts this week. The line will be led by the returning Romelu Lukaku, who has 85 goals from 119 appearances for his country.
Thibaut Courtois is a continued absence having stated he will not play for his country while Tedesco is in charge after falling out with the manager last year, so Al-Qadsiah stopper Koen Casteels is set to continue between the sticks.
Luciano Spalletti welcomes Nicolo Barella back to the Italy squad after he missed out last month through injury. In-form Mateo Retegui is almost certain to start in Brussels after scoring 11 times in 12 appearances in Serie A this season.
The Azzurri are without Torino midfielder Samuele Ricci and Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori due to injury, while there are three potential debutants hoping to break into the fold. Defensive duo Caleb Okoli of Leicester and Juventus’ Nicolo Savona as well as Lazio midfielder Nicolo Rovella are all included.
