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UEFA Nations League: Italy vs Belgium
Kickoff Time: 2024-10-11 02:45 (HKT)
Source:REUTERS/Bernadett Szabo
Italy defeated Israel 2-1 in the last away match, achieving two consecutive victories in the UEFA Nations League. Looking at Italy’s current squad, it is filled with hope and challenges. In defense, the re-selection of Alessandro Bastoni and Federico Dimarco undoubtedly strengthens Italy’s defense line; in midfield, although Nicolo Barella’s absence is a significant regret, the rise of Samuele Ricci is impressive; in attack, Moise Kean has withdrawn from training due to a back injury, and Lorenzo Lucca has replaced him in the national team. Lucca’s selection has excited many Italian fans, as he is a rare tall striker. At 24 years old, Lucca stands at 201 cm, giving him a clear height advantage, and he excels in heading and positioning. He also possesses the ability to control the ball and create opportunities, earning him the nickname “upgraded Granziano Pelle.” Lucca’s inclusion adds more possibilities to Italy’s attacking options.
Belgium lost 0-2 to France in the last away match, with the team being bombarded by 25 shots from France throughout the game, showing no highlights in either attack or defense. After the match, Belgium’s captain Kevin de Bruyne expressed his dissatisfaction with the team’s current situation and threatened to retire from national duty. From the announcement of Belgium’s current squad, players like Leandro Trossard, Jeremy Doku, Amadou Onana, and Charles de Ketelaere have all been included, but both De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku are absent. In recent years, the overall strength of the “Red Devils” has noticeably declined. This summer, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois withdrew from the national team due to conflicts with Coach Domenico Tedesco. Now, with the absence of midfield core and captain De Bruyne, it is increasingly difficult for Belgium to achieve good results.
Italy’s recent performance is clearly much better than Belgium’s, and the atmosphere within the Italian team is also more positive compared to the gloomy environment surrounding Belgium. Additionally, Italy has shown strong home performance, while Belgium has struggled in away matches. Overall, Italy is expected to continue the winning streak at home.
Italy’s Last 5 Games: WWLDL
24-09-10 Israel 1-2 Italy
24-09-07 France 1-3 Italy
24-06-30 Switzerland 2-0 Italy
24-06-25 Croatia 1-1 Italy
24-06-21 Spain 1-0 Italy
Belgium’s Last 5 Games: LWLDW
24-09-10 France 2-0 Belgium
24-09-07 Belgium 3-1 Israel
24-07-02 France 1-0 Belgium
24-06-27 Ukraine 0-0 Belgium
24-06-23 Belgium 2-0 Romania
Head To Head Record:
21-10-10 Italy 2-1 Belgium
21-07-03 Beilgium 1-2 Italy
16-06-14 Belgium 0-2 Italy
15-11-14 Belgium 3-1 Italy
08-05-31 Italy 3-1 Belgium
Prediction: Italy to win