Devoid of several key players, Domenico Tedesco will have the opportunity to conduct some tests in Italy on Thursday. Maxim De Cuyper could start on the left, while Charles De Ketelaere could finally get a real chance in the selection.
It was not easy to put this likely line-up on paper, as there are several uncertainties surrounding the Red Devils, who will face Italy at the Olympic Stadium in Rome on Thursday evening.
What we can be sure of is that Koen Casteels will be in goal. But since Domenico Tedesco did not completely rule out the possibility of a three-man defense during the press conference, there are several questions about the outfield players. Although we hear that he is not going to change his system.
Arthur Theate finally replacing Jan Vertonghen?
Defensively, the national coach has the opportunity to do something that many would have wanted to see during the European Championship: put Maxim De Cuyper on the left, with Arthur Theate in central defense. In that scenario, his expected companion would of course be Wout Faes.
Timothy Castagne is the favorite for the right wing, but the Fulham player has hardly played in the Premier League, while Koni De Winter recently played in that position in Serie A. A surprise is possible.
CDK as a replacement for KDB
In midfield, the cards have been rearranged due to the absence of Amadou Onana. Orel Mangala, normally a regular starter, would take on a more important role. Youri Tielemans could play alongside him, with Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne’s natural replacement, ahead of them.
Domenico Tedesco has options, but cannot afford to make a mistake Another option would be to put Vranckx alongside Mangala, with Youri Tielemans as number 10, a role in which he shone at Wembley. Yet we choose the first option, because the moment of “CDK” seems to have arrived for the Devils. Despite his good start to the season, it would be a surprise to see Arne Engels in the starting line-up.
Trossard in the base
In attack there are fewer questions. Jérémy Doku will probably play on the left, Loïs Openda will start as striker, and Leandro Trossard, who was missing from the previous international match, will take care of the right side. Watch out for Johan Bakayoko, although he has had a mediocre start to the season at PSV.
Belgium’s likely line-up: Casteels – De Cuyper, Theate, Faes, Castagne – Mangala, Tielemans, De Ketelaere – Doku, Trossard, Openda.
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