Italy enters their upcoming Nations League encounter with Belgium full of confidence, having enjoyed a perfect start to the 2024/25 campaign.
The Azzurri have won their first two matches, continuing a strong run of form in the competition that includes five victories in their last six games. Their record against Belgium is also impressive, with Italy winning five of their previous six meetings, a stat that will no doubt boost morale ahead of Thursday’s showdown.
Despite this, head coach Luciano Spalletti remains cautious, as Italy has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last six outings. The Italian attack will be relied upon to deliver, as the team aims to maintain their momentum and secure a spot in the finals for the third consecutive time.
Belgium, on the other hand, has had a less-than-ideal record in the Nations League. After winning half of their games in the previous campaign, they’ve only managed one win from their first two matches this term.
The Red Devils have struggled to perform against top-ranked teams, and with key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku absent, they face an uphill battle. Arsenal’s Leandro Trossard will likely be the player Belgium looks to for inspiration.
Italy will feature some fresh faces, with six Serie A players receiving their first international call-ups, including Atalanta’s in-form striker Mateo Retegui. Meanwhile, Belgium will lean on the likes of Trossard and Youri Tielemans to spearhead their attack.
In a match that promises to be tightly contested, Italy will look to capitalize on their home advantage at the Stadio Olimpico, with recent history suggesting they have the upper hand. A narrow win for the hosts seems likely, echoing their 2-1 victory over Belgium in 2021.
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