UEFA Nations League: Azzurri Aim to Take Charge

Belgium vs Italy

When Italy exited the European Championships so meekly at the last 16 stage this summer, bowing out as holders to Switzerland with barely a whimper, the criticism back home really stung.

Yet rather than damage their confidence, what has followed in the UEFA Nations League has been more like it for the Azzurri.

A September victory in France set the scene and, followed by a win in Israel, has allowed them to take early charge of a tough looking Nations League group.

Indeed, goalkeeping legend Gianluigi Buffon believes the disappointment of that early Euro 2024 exit has helped the Italy players grow on and off the pitch, But if success is this tournament is high on their agenda, they need to keep winning as France remain on their shoulders after winning against Belgium in Brussels last time out.

That is easier said than done, of course.

 

Talking Points 

The Belgian fightback in the Stadio Olimpico last month showed the Red Devils of international football still have plenty to offer.

In addition, they have players with experience of Italian football.

Juventus winger Samuel Mbangula has received his first ever call-up to the national team to become the third Serie A player to be called up to Domenico Tedesco’s Belgium squad this month, alongside Romelu Lukaku of Napoli and Atalanta sharp-shooter Charles De Ketelaere.

With Manchester City playmaker Kevin De Bruyne and Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois both out, Belgium will rely on Lukaku to lead the charge.

Tedesco also cannot count on Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Malick Fofana and Joaquin Seys due to injury.

Samuel Mbangula, Arthur Vermeeren, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Killian Sardella were called up on Monday as replacements so the pressure is firmly on the hosts as anything other than a win in Brussels will condemn them to a relegation play-off.

Granted, this is a tough group but it’s a far cry from the country’s lofty aspirations in the past decade and the so-called ‘golden generation’.

That is why, despite languishing three places beneath their hosts in the FIFA rankings, the Italians will make this trip in high spirits.

They have been boosted by the return of Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella. Another Atalanta man, Mateo Retegui, will spearhead the attack, while Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini rejoins the squad after serving a one-game ban against Israel.

Four players in Luciano Spalletti’s selections will be hoping to make their debuts.

The title-winning former Napoli boss has handed call-ups to three players in Pietro Comuzzo, Nicolo Savona and Nicolo Rovella, while Caleb Okoli – in the squad for the third consecutive time – is also awaiting a first international cap.

 

History

This is a fixture the Azzurri have tended to dominate, winning 16 of their 25 meetings with a further five draws.

One such game was only a month ago when the Italians looked on course for victory in Rome, taking the lead inside a minute through Andrea Cambiaso before Mateo Retegui added a second.

Then, five minutes before the break, midfielder Pellegrini was dismissed and the Belgians took advantage.

They reduced the arrears almost immediately through Maxim de Cuyper before Leandro Trossard poked in a second-half equaliser.

Historically, the Italians won the first six encounters in a row, beginning with a 1-0 home friendly success in May 1913 when Guido Ara scored the only goal.

Indeed, only one of the Belgium’s four victories against Italy has been in a competitive fixture, a World Cup qualifier in 1972 in Anderlecht when Wilfried Van More and Paul Van Himst were on target in a 2-1 victory.

It’s nine years since Belgium beat Italy, a 2015 friendly, and Italy have won the majority of the contests since.

Goals from Emanuele Giaccherini and Graziano Pelle settled a Euro 2016 group game in their favour.

Italy also enjoyed victory at Euro 2020 (played a year later) at the quarter-final stage when a Lukaku penalty wasn’t enough to overturn first half goals from Nicolò Barella and Lorenzo Insigne.

Italy went onto be crowned champions of Europe.

Then just three months later, in October 2021, Italy proved a bogey side for Belgium once more as Barella and a Domenico Berardi penalty proved decisive to settle the Nations League third place play-off, again by the same 2-1 scoreline.

 

Betting Tip 

There’s not too much between the nations but Belgium are favourites with the SBOTOP Nations League betting odds.

You can put your money on a home win, both 1X2 @ 2.43 and Asian Handicap -0.25 @ 2.17.

Italy are on offer 1X2 @ 2.68 and 0.00 @ 2.05.

Another draw will pay out @ 3.15 and another 2-2 draw is priced @ 14.00 with Correct Score.

Even with key absentees, there’s plenty of players on both sides with an eye for goal so how about total goal 4-6 @ 3.48 or over 2.50 goals @ 2.00?

I think the Azzurri will capitalise on a weakened Belgium side – something they would have done last month but for Pellegrini’s dismissal – and produce Nations League highlights so my ** tip is 1X2 Italy @ 2.68.

   

●●●

CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS

Stay updated with everything sports and betting.

Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.