National coach Domenico Tedesco had some surprises in store in his starting line-up for the Nations League match against Italy on Thursday. Arne Engels gets his first starting spot in midfield, and Loïs Openda starts up front next to the returning Romelu Lukaku. Maxim De Cuyper may take care of the left side.
In goal, Koen Casteels is the national coach’s permanent fixture. It remains to be seen which formation he will get in front of him. Timothy Castagne (right) and Maxim De Cuyper (left) may play as wingbacks and Zeno Debast, Wout Faes and Arthur Theate form the central trio in a five-man defense. It is also possible that a four-man defense starts with – from right to left – Debast, Faes, Theate and Castagne. For example, the Devils played against France last month. In that case, De Cuyper is one row higher.
Arne Engels is in midfield for the first time, alongside Amadou Onana, who was missing last month due to an injury. The returned Romelu Lukaku receives support from Loïs Openda and Leandro Trossard up front.
Compared to the 1-2 defeat against France, Tedesco chose four new names on Thursday. Orel Mangala disappeared to the bench, Youri Tielemans, Jérémy Doku and Charles De Ketelaere are missing due to injuries. Onana, Engels, De Cuyper and Lukaku are new to the team.
Luciano Spalletti also made some changes compared to the 4-1 win against Israel last month. The Italian national coach gave starting places to defender Alessandro Buongiorno and midfielders Nicolo Rovella and Nicolo Barella. For Rovella it will be his first cap with the Squadra Azzurra, driving force Barella is back for the first time since the European Championship.
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One point is enough for the Italians in Brussels to secure a place in the quarter-finals of the Nations League. The Belgians absolutely must win. The Devils then also have to get past Israel on Sunday’s final match day and a favorable result in Italy-France is necessary for qualification.
Italy has ten points as leader in group A2 after four match days. It only suffered a loss of points in last month’s home game against the Devils. France (9 pts) is second. Belgium is third in the group, with four points, and seems likely to end up there. Israel is last without points. The top two advance to the quarter-finals. The numbers three from the group stage will play jump-offs next spring for retention in the A division against a runner-up from the B division. The numbers four are relegated directly.
