Comments and predictions for Italy vs Belgium: Home team is stronger

Latest Italy vs Belgium team information

Luciano Spalletti is rejuvenating Italy's squad by calling up five players with no international experience, including Daniel Maldini, son of Azzurri legend Paolo Maldini, and Roma's young midfielder Niccolo Pisilli. Federico Chiesa remains absent due to lack of fitness, while Gianluca Scamacca and Giorgio Scalvini of Atalanta are recovering from ACL injuries. In-form striker Moise Kean has withdrawn due to a back problem, and Lorenzo Lucca will replace him.

Nicolo Barella returns to the squad after missing last month's Nations League games due to sinus surgery. With several strikers absent, Giacomo Raspadori is likely to partner Mateo Retegui in Spalletti's 3-5-2 formation.

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco, on the other hand, will be without a number of veteran stars back home. Romelu Lukaku is not involved due to his decision to retire from international football until 2025, while captain Kevin De Bruyne and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois are also absent due to injury. Tedesco has called up three players based in Italy, including Atalanta's Charles De Ketelaere and Juventus' Samuel Mbangula, who scored on his Serie A debut. Lois Openda is expected to start up front, along with Leandro Trossard, who returns after missing the September games.

Latest expected lineup for Italy vs Belgium

Italy:

Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori; Bellanova, Barella, Ricci, Tonali, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui

Belgium:

Casteels; Castagne, Faes, Debast, Theate; Onana, Tielemans; Lukebakio, Trossard, Doku; Openda

Latest football commentary on Italy vs Belgium

After a disappointing summer defending their European Championship title, Italy have made an impressive start to this year's Nations League campaign and will be looking to claim a third successive victory when they host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico. The Azzurri began their campaign with a surprise 3-1 win over France, with Federico Dimarco equalising after going behind. Goals from Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori secured the three vital points.

Luciano Spalletti's side then went on to beat Israel, taking the lead in Group 2. To replicate the success, new faces have been added to help Italy win their first Nations League trophy in history. Before Spalletti was appointed, Italy reached the 2023 Nations League finals but finished third. To qualify for the quarter-finals, the Azzurri need more points from this week's game and a rematch with Israel on Monday.

While Italy are looking to overcome past failures, Belgium have had familiar problems in September, despite starting the season with a 3-1 win over Israel. Captain Kevin De Bruyne scored twice but also criticised his teammates after a 2-0 defeat to France. Coach Domenico Tedesco is under pressure as he tries to build momentum ahead of the 2026 World Cup, but De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku have temporarily withdrawn from the squad.

Tedesco also faces man-management challenges as he tries to retain big stars and integrate new talent. After failing to reach the Nations League finals earlier this season, Belgium need to show improvement early in the season. Meanwhile, Italy are slowly finding their form and identity after their Euro 2020 success, with a young squad with the potential to do well in Group 2.

Italy vs Belgium score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the results of the match.Italy vs Belgiumas follows:

• Sportsmole:Italy 2-1 Belgium

• WhoScore:Italy 0-1 Belgium
• Our newspaper predicts:Italy 2-1 Belgium

When and where to watch Italy vs Belgium live?

To watch live the Italy vs Belgium match in the Nations League taking place at 1:45 a.m. on October 11, viewers can watch on TV360here, Mytv systemhereor on online sports channels. Wish you have fun watching football.