The Azzurri lost 2-1 to Spain in the semi-final encounter whereas Belgium conceded a two-goal lead to lose 3-2 against France.
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Italy will take on Belgium in the third place play-off match of the UEFA Nations League on Sunday in Turin. The Azzurri lost 2-1 to Spain in the semi-final encounter whereas Belgium conceded a two goal lead to lose 3-2 against France. Ferran Torres scored a first half brace on either side of Leonardo Bonucci’s sending off to end Italy’s incredible unbeaten run of 37-games and take Spain into the final. Meanwhile, Belgium took a two-goal lead through Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku before Karim Benzema, Kylian Mbappe and Theo Hernandez netted for the World Champions to complete a remarkable comeback.
Italy, who beat England on a penalty shootout to lift the Euro 2020 trophy seems to be in a hangover after the triumph, having settled for two underwhelming draws against Bulgaria and Switzerland in the World Cup qualifiers. Although Roberto Mancini’s side secured a regulation win over Lithuania to remain in pole position to qualify for Qatar 2022, that defeat to Spain was a wake up call.
Mancini’s side must now react to their first defeat in almost three years when they take on the world’s number one ranked national team. The last meeting between these two sides ended 2-1 in favour of Italy in the quarter-final stage of Euro 2020.
While Italy were the second best team at San Siro against Spain after Bonucci was sent off, Belgium seemed to be cruising into the Nations League final before a brilliant comeback from Les Bleus in the second half.
French full-back Hernandez scored a spectacular 90th-minute winner to eliminate Belgium. A first senior trophy once again seems so close yet so far.
The hosts will be without their leader in defence Bonucci who was sent off in the previous match. Therefore Giorgio Chiellini will partner Alessandro Bastoni in the central defence. The 37-year-old Juventus man did a brilliant job against Spain after coming on in the second half.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Emerson will be the fullbacks while Nicolo Barella, Jorginho and Marco Verratti are sure starters in midfield. Meanwhile, because of the absence of Ciro Immobile, Mancini experimented with a ‘false nine’ Federico Bernardeschi against Spain. However, against Belgium, the Italian tactician might bring in forward Giacomo Raspadori with Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Insigne on either side of him. Chiesa was the best player for Italy in the previous match and he is in red hot form.
On the other hand, Belgium might rotate their squad as they played 24 hours after Italy’s game. Roberto Martinez’ side plays with a back three. Alderweireld, Jason Denayer and Vertonghen are going to be the three central defenders.
Carrasco, who scored the opening goal against France, will raid down the left flank with Timothy Castagne occupying the right-wing-back position. Experienced campaigner Axel Witsel will be the holding midfielder with Youri Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne pulling the string in the middle of the park.
Meanwhile, Eden Hazard suffered an injury in the last match and is doubtful for Sunday. Therefore either Thorgan Hazard or Dries Mertens might come in to support frontman Romelu Lukaku.
It’s going to be an intriguing encounter in Turin as there is very little to choose from between the two sides. Italy are without a proper striker in their side while Belgium’s Lukaku is in a red hot form which might be the deciding factor in the game.
