MX23RW : Tuesday, November 5 21:49:17| >> :600:262722:262722:
[monks data]
Italy national football team
Nations League | Third-Place Final
Oct 10, 2021 at 2pm UK
Allianz Stadium
Belgium national football team

Italy
2 - 1
Belgium

Barella (46'), Berardi (65' pen.)
Di Lorenzo (30'), Palmieri (82')
FT(HT: 0-0)
De Ketelaere (86')
Vertonghen (14'), Witsel (56'), Alderweireld (63')

Preview: Italy vs. Belgium - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Sunday's Nations League clash between Italy and Belgium, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

After falling at the semi-final stage of the UEFA Nations League, hosts Italy reconvene with Belgium on Sunday, three months after their scintillating contest at Euro 2020.

Having let a two-goal lead slip to crash out against old foes France, the Belgians will contest third place in international football's newest tournament against the faltering European champions.


Match preview

Italy's Lorenzo Insigne, Nicolo Barella and Federico Bernardeschi look dejected after defeat against Spain on October 6, 2021© Reuters

Since their penalty shootout glory at Wembley in the summer, something of a hangover has befallen Italy in their subsequent matches; the latest of which was Wednesday's disappointing defeat to Spain in the Nations League semi-finals.

The Azzurri's cherished 37-game unbeaten run came to a definitive end at San Siro, as they crashed out to a side which particularly troubled them at the same stage of the Euros, before they squeezed through in a spot kick showdown.

Captain for the night in Milan, as the teams met again, defensive stalwart Leonardo Bonucci was sent off in the first half for two bookable offences - the second for an elbow on Sergio Busquets.

As Ferran Torres netted a double either side of Bonucci's dismissal - on a ground where he struggled during his single season at AC Milan - the Italians were ultimately consigned to a playoff for third.

Also following two underwhelming World Cup qualifying draws and a regulation win against Lithuania - still leaving Roberto Mancini's side in pole position to qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 - La Nazionale now travel to Turin, where they reprise one of their most memorable match-ups of recent years.

They must now react to a first defeat since losing to Portugal in the inaugural Nations League over three years ago - and also the first time Italy have lost a competitive game on home soil since 1999 - in an encounter with Belgium, who they edged out 2-1 in their Euro 2020 quarter-final back in July.

Though the chance to immediately add further silverware to their long-awaited European Championship trophy has now passed, a clash with one of their chief rivals for the global crown next year remains an intriguing prospect.

Belgium manager Roberto Martinez on June 29, 2021© Reuters

While Italy were outsiders from the moment their captain saw red in midweek, by contrast, Belgium seemed to be cruising into the Nations League final before a dramatic comeback from reigning world champions France.

Les Bleus full-back Theo Hernandez rifled home a spectacular 90th-minute winner, as the Red Devils let a two-goal advantage slip during a whirlwind display from the French during the second half.

A first senior international trophy seemed to be coming one step closer when Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku gave them a 2-0 lead with some clinical finishing, but Belgium were once again forced to settle for a shot at the bronze medal.

They have been ranked the world's number one side for more than three years now, but remain the only nation to top the rankings without claiming a major championship, with time fast running out for the vaunted 'golden generation'.

Roberto Martinez's men entered this month having claimed three wins from three in World Cup qualifying in September - netting nine times and conceding just two in the process - so seem to have responded well to their previous disappointment.

Whether they can now get over the "mental wall" which Martinez believes obstructs them in the aftermath of Thursday's gut-wrenching defeat - only the third from their last 32 games - still remains to be seen.

Italy Nations League form:
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • W
  • L

Italy form (all competitions):
  • W
  • W
  • D
  • D
  • W
  • L

Belgium Nations League form:
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L

Belgium form (all competitions):
  • W
  • L
  • W
  • W
  • W
  • L



Team News

Italy coach Roberto Mancini pictured on October 6, 2021© Reuters

The hosts will be without the lynchpin of their defence, Ballon d'Or nominated Leonardo Bonucci, after his dismissal against Spain, so Roberto Mancini may bring in his Juventus colleague Giorgio Chiellini on Sunday afternoon.

As Ciro Immobile was previously ruled out of the squad through injury, and Juve striker Moise Kean picked up a knock on Wednesday, the diminutive Giacomo Raspadori should start rather than Mancini's experiment with a 'false nine', Federico Bernardeschi, being continued.

Raspadori came off the bench twice last month and made his full Azzurri debut against Lithuania, scoring once and forcing an own goal, so is now likely to get his chance in this high-profile encounter.

Belgium, meanwhile, could rotate their XI more substantially, as they played 24 hours after their Italian counterparts and suffered a morale-sapping second-half collapse.

Star striker Romelu Lukaku will definitely be missing, as muscular fatigue has caused the Chelsea man to withdraw and return to London, denying him a reunion with some of his former Inter colleagues. Therefore, Michy Batshuayi should start up front.

Reliable veterans of squads past, including Thomas Meunier, Thorgan Hazard, Dries Mertens and Christian Benteke were not included by Roberto Martinez for these Nations League finals, so the next generation such as Italy-based duo Alexis Saelemaekers and Arthur Theate may be given an opportunity to shine.

Another elder member of the Red Devils, Eden Hazard, is a doubt after appearing to suffer yet another injury during the defeat to France. The Real Madrid playmaker was withdrawn shortly before the final whistle and will be assessed ahead of Sunday's game, as Leandro Trossard stands ready to replace him.

Italy possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Calabria, Chiellini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Barella, Locatelli, Pellegrini; Chiesa, Raspadori, Berardi

Belgium possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Alderweireld, Boyata, Vertonghen; Saelemaekers, Vanaken, Witsel, Carrasco; Lukebakio, Batshuayi, Trossard


SM words green background

We say: Italy 1-0 Belgium

On Sunday, neither nation will be motivated beyond salvaging some pride, as they nurse hangovers from their respective midweek semi-final failures.

For that reason, both sides will feature changes, and Italy's greater squad depth can help them edge out Belgium for a second time in a matter of months.


ID:466898:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12173:

Data Analysis

Our analysis of all available data, including recent performances and player stats up until an hour before kickoff, suggested the most likely outcome of this match was a Belgium win with a probability of 39.39%. A win for Italy had a probability of 35.91% and a draw had a probability of 24.7%.

The most likely scoreline for a Belgium win was 1-2 with a probability of 8.61%. The next most likely scorelines for that outcome were 0-1 (8.13%) and 0-2 (6.08%). The likeliest Italy win was 2-1 (8.16%), while for a drawn scoreline it was 1-1 (11.51%). The actual scoreline of 2-1 was predicted with an 8.2% likelihood.


Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: Italy vs Belgium

Italy
56.7%
Draw
16.4%
Belgium
26.9%
379
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Italy's Gianluigi Donnarumma celebrates as his team beat England to win Euro 2020 on July 11, 2021
Read Next:
Jorginho, Chiesa named in Italy's 23-man squad
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

League A1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Portugal Portugal431010
2 Croatia Croatia42117
3 Poland Poland41124
4 Scotland flag Scotland40131

League A2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Italy Italy431010
2 France France43019
3 Belgium Belgium41124
4 Israel Israel40040

League A3

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Germany Germany431010
2 Netherlands Netherlands41215
3 Hungary Hungary41215
4 Bosnia Bosnia H'vina40131

League A4

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Spain Spain431010
2 Denmark Denmark42117
3 Serbia Serbia41124
4 Switzerland Switzerland40131

League B1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Czech Republic Czech Republic42117
2 Georgia Georgia42026
3 Albania national flag Albania42026
4 Ukraine Ukraine41124

League B2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Greece Greece440012
2 England flag England43019
3 Ireland Rep. Ireland41033
4 Finland Finland40040

League B3

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Norway Norway42117
2 Austria Austria42117
3 Slovenia Slovenia42117
4 Kazakhstan Kazakhstan40131

League B4

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Turkey Turkey431010
2 Wales flag Wales42208
3 Iceland Iceland41124
4 Montenegro Montenegro40040

League C1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Sweden Sweden431010
2 Slovakia Slovakia431010
3 Estonia Estonia41033
4 Azerbaijan Azerbaijan40040

League C2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Romania Romania440012
2 Kosovo flag Kosovo43019
3 Cyprus Cyprus41033
4 Lithuania Lithuania40040

League C3

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Northern Ireland flag N. Ireland42117
2 Belarus Belarus41306
3 Bulgaria Bulgaria41215
4 Luxembourg flag Luxembourg40222

League C4

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Macedonia N. Macedonia431010
2 Armenia Armenia41124
3 Latvia Latvia41124
4 Faroe Islands Faroe Islands40313

League D1

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Gibraltar flag Gibraltar31205
2 San Marino flag San Marino21013
3 Liechtenstein flag Liechtenstein30212

League D2

TeamPWDLPTS
1 Republic of Moldova Moldova32016
2 Malta flag Malta32016
3 Andorra flag Andorra20020


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!