The highly anticipated Nations League match between Italy and Belgium on 10 October 2024 promises to be a thrilling encounter at the iconic Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Both teams are looking to solidify their positions in the tournament, with Italy currently leading their group after a strong start, while Belgium is aiming to bounce back from a disappointing performance against France. Italy vs Belgium odds favour the home side, given Belgium’s recent problems, which culminated in their defeat to France.
Italy Team News
Italy’s squad is bolstered by the return of key players who missed previous matches due to injury or club commitments. Notably, Nicolo Barella is back after successful surgery and is expected to play a pivotal role in midfield. Additionally, Federico Chiesa and Manuel Locatelli are set to return, adding depth and experience to the Azzurri lineup. With these reinforcements, Spalletti’s side aims to maintain their winning momentum and secure a spot in the Nations League finals.
Full Time ResultItaly to Win
The Italian team has shown impressive attacking form, highlighted by standout performances from players like Mateo Retegui, who recently notched his first Serie A hat-trick. The combination of Retegui’s scoring prowess and a solid midfield presence should give Italy an edge against Belgium’s defence. However, Spalletti remains cautious; despite their recent successes, he stresses the need for defensive solidity, as Italy has struggled to keep clean sheets in recent matches.
Belgium Team News
Belgium faces significant challenges heading into this match, particularly due to the absence of key players Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku. Both have been crucial to Belgium’s success over the years but are currently sidelined, reportedly due to a conflict with manager Domenico Tedesco — the same issue that led to Thibaut Courtois withdrawing from the squad earlier. Tedesco has called up several new faces, including Cyril Ngonge and Malick Fofana, to fill the gaps left by these stars. This presents an opportunity for younger players to step up, but whether they are ready for the challenge remains to be seen.
Full Time ResultBelgium to Win
Despite a promising start with a victory over Israel, Belgium’s recent performance against France exposed weaknesses in both attack and defence. The team struggled to convert chances into goals — a worrying trend that Tedesco will need to address urgently.
