Belgium host Italy in Nations League group decider
Belgium and Italy meet in Brussels on Sunday with a Nations League quarter-final place at stake in Group 1 of League A. Team news and what each side needs.
Livefeed News DeskUpdated · 2 min read
Quick answer
Belgium host Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Sunday 15 November at 20:45, with a Nations League quarter-final place at stake in Group 1 of League A. Italy and France have 10 points each and Belgium have 9, so Italy qualify with a draw whatever France do.
Key facts
- Kick-off is at 20:45 on Sunday 15 November at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
- Italy and France are level on 10 points in Group 1 of League A, with Belgium on 9.
- Belgium beat Italy in the first round of group games.
- Belgium beat Turkey 2-1 in Izmir last time out, with Charles De Ketelaere and Kevin De Bruyne scoring.
- Italy beat France 3-1 at San Siro, but lost Frattesi and Cambiaghi to injury afterwards.
- Romelu Lukaku is out for Belgium with a muscle injury.
What each team needs in Brussels
Belgium and Italy meet in a direct match for a place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Italy must finish in the top two of the group.
Italy lead provisionally. Their 3-1 win over France at San Siro put them first, ahead of France on the same 10 points, with Belgium on 9. A draw is enough for Italy whatever France do, and a defeat would still be survivable if France also lose.
Belgium know the opponent well. They won the first meeting this season, with Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio named as the scorers by one source. Another describes that game as a 2-0 win. Belgium also recovered after losing to France and beat Turkey 2-1 in Izmir, where De Ketelaere and De Bruyne scored.
Italy team news
Roberto Mancini has said Italy will not sit back. He told reporters it is not in the team's mentality to wait, partly because the balance of a game can change in an instant and the side might then be unable to come back. That was a reply to Belgium coach Mark van Bommel, who had argued for caution from Italy.
Mancini is expected to stay with a 4-3-3 close to the one used against France. He loses two players from that game: Frattesi with a muscle problem and Cambiaghi with an ankle problem. Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori is a fitness doubt and was due to be assessed before the match. One preview says Italy have no notable absentees, which conflicts with the Goal.com report of the two injuries.
Donnarumma is expected to keep the captaincy in goal despite his error against France. Bastoni, Scalvini, Barella, Tonali and Pio Esposito are listed as Mancini's fixed picks. The open places are right-back, where Palestra is challenging Kayode, a midfield spot where Doumbia is ahead of Fagioli, and the right wing, where Vergara could replace Sebastiano Esposito. If Calafiori plays, Dimarco is likely to move forward to the left wing.
Belgium team news and form
Lukaku will not play because of a muscle injury. Atalanta's De Ketelaere has become a key player under Van Bommel, and says playing weekly in Serie A has made him tactically more mature.
Belgium are trying to finish in the top two of the group in front of their home crowd.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Belgium v Italy?
Kick-off is at 20:45 on Sunday 15 November at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels.
What does Italy need to qualify?
Italy must finish in the top two of Group 1. A draw against Belgium is enough whatever France do, and a defeat is survivable only if France also lose.
Is Romelu Lukaku playing for Belgium?
No. Lukaku is unavailable because of a muscle injury.
Who won the first Belgium v Italy game this season?
Belgium won. One source credits Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio with the goals, while another calls it a 2-0 win.
