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Belgium vs Italy Preview: UEFA Nations League Lineups, Team News, Predictions & More (Clip From Ep. 471)
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The 2024-25 UEFA Nations League A Group 2 match between Belgium and Italy takes place on Thursday 14 November at 20:45 CET in Brussels at the King Baudouin Stadium. Carlo Garganese and Nima Tavallaey preview the big game.
We look at the probable XIs, injuries and suspensions, and break down the game tactically before offering our predictions.
This is an extended clip from this week's free Monday episode of The Italian Football Podcast which is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Google podcasts.
To listen to this & all other full episodes of The Italian Football Podcast (with no ads), go to Patreon.com/TIFP OR now also available on Spotify to become a Patron for only $2.99 USD per month (excluding VAT).
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Transcript
Italy's Path to the Quarter-finals
00:00:03
Speaker
Welcome to the Italian football podcast. Let's just before we finish off with Bad Gio, Prem Face, and Cédia Ace of the Week. It is international break now. It is the UEFA Nations League. The final two match days. Italy going away to Belgium and then playing against France on that the the final game.
00:00:22
Speaker
of the of the of the Nations League group stage. um italy The current stand-ins are Italy on 10 points, France on 9 and Belgium on 4. So, Italy need a point from their final two games against Belgium and France to to qualify for the quarter
Italy's Squad and Injury Concerns
00:00:40
Speaker
-final. So, they they played Belgium this Thursday, 14th November, at 2045 CET in Brussels at the King Badouin Stadium.
00:00:51
Speaker
match day five, um so Italy only need a draw from this game in order to to to to qualify ah from the group and eliminate ah Belgium from from the chances of of qualifying for the quarterfinals. So let's preview this game and Italy's squad first, there might be the odd injury, ah the odd player pulling out as is usually the case after these squads get named. Richie is somebody that got injured during the Turin Derby and we have to watch watch him for certain, but it's the squad. donauma vicario mere
00:01:24
Speaker
at the goalkeepers. The defenders are Bastoni, Buongiorno, Cambiasso, Komuzzo, Di Lorenzo, Di Marco, Gatti, Okali, Savona, and Udoji, and midfielders are Barella, Fratese, Pizzilli, Ritchie, Rovelle, Tonali, and then the forwards are Moisakan, Maldini, Raspadori, and Rettaghi. So that the In terms of the putting the new players in, or the the noteworthy players in, three new call-ups, first call-ups for Nickolo Savano of Juventus, Pietro Camuso, a teenager at centre back at Fiorentina, and Nickolo Ravella from Lazio. What do you make of those first-time call-ups, Noah?
New Call-ups and Player Evaluations
00:02:02
Speaker
I'm really happy for Ravella, I think that's well deserved. I think all three are well deserved. I think Savona's been so good that this is this this this is what he should be rewarded with. Komuzzo as well, been outstanding for Fiorentina, and Ravella's been brilliant for Lazio.
00:02:18
Speaker
So, no, i'm i'm I'm happy that he he um he does this, Spalletti. I think what he's doing is, I think Spalletti has... I don't know if we should say that. I mean, he's he's what, 20 years old? i mean Yeah, I mean, he was in the last squad, but I mean i think i think that what Spalletti's doing is is quite clear to me. He has a core.
00:02:41
Speaker
which he's certain of and they they're pretty if you know presuming we qualify for the for the World Cup. They're already on the plane for the United States and North America, but then he has these kind of ah kind of probably more so backup positions or just a few other roles where He's not sure. And what he's doing is he's using these nation's league games to call up as many of these players, which he wants to look at and get a look at.
Strategy and Player Form Analysis
00:03:06
Speaker
And and that's what's happened. So I think that we're seeing that with certain positions. We're seeing that with, for example, the backup to Tambiasso on the right wing back position. So we've seen a lot of different players being called up there. And, you know, Belanova was the last one. Now we're seeing Savona getting a call up there. He wants to see backup
00:03:28
Speaker
ah players at defensive centre midfield, you know, Richie's probably kind of like the the number one starter there at the moment. So the last time he's so he's tried these tested players like ah Pajoli, for example, who I think struggled in the last last last ah international window this time he's having a look at.
00:03:49
Speaker
at Rovella who has been fantastic and then at centre back he's still looking at right centre back so he's he's tested a few different players there and now he's now he's testing now Komuzo there as well so I kind of see the theory behind it and and I think they they deserve it. Komuzo has been really outstanding for Fiorentina in this in this in this in this run that that they're going on. So yeah I think that's the theory behind it. And then I think we would add the same to Pisilli and Maldini, who are in this as their second international window. They made their debuts in the last one. And he obviously wants to take another look at them in this and this ah international window as well. And Gatti returns as well after injury.
00:04:33
Speaker
Yeah, he does. um No, I think it's a decent, I like the squad and I'm glad that he's rewarding great form with spots in the team, especially to young players. I love that Ravella's there. I think it's fully, fully deserved.
00:04:47
Speaker
um i I want to see Barella Tonali Ricci play together. and that's That's like in my dream midfield. When I play football manager, that's my midfield for Inter and Italy. So I want to see those three together. um I don't think we will. and And in the absence of that, I'd love to see Ravella because if Ricci is going to pull out, um because I think Ravella is deserved. I think he's been so good for Lazio.
00:05:16
Speaker
um And of course, up front, it has to be Rategi and Keene, like Moise Keene has been outstanding at Rategi. Is the top goal scorer to 11 goals in 12 matches? Yeah, be that'll be interesting. i We'll come on to the probable 11 in the second, but the players that are out, ah the injured players are Callifuri, who would have definitely been in Gabbier, who was that right centre-back I was talking about and that got caught up last time, and Kieza.
00:05:42
Speaker
who is getting close to writing off now. um And then from the last squad, players that have been, have been excluded that were in the last squad are De Gregorio, which I'm a little bit surprised of. And not that again, as I said earlier in the show, not that it matters that much. um Certainly would have him ahead of, ahead of Merett. Bela Nova, who That's strange. He's not doing enough for me, but he was very, very good and and he's decisive for atalan he He needs to grow. He needs to start delivering, putting in a string of good performances and having consistency. These impact games. Yeah, but that's what I mean. These impact games, these impact things like right now, not good enough.
00:06:22
Speaker
He wasn't good for Italy either, I think on ah in possession of the ball he needs to improve a lot. He's good, kind of making breaks, making those bursts, he's devastating in space, um but you know when you're in possession, um he's he's a little bit too limited and his final ball is still... really not not not good enough. but Having said that though, he he was very, very good for Atlanta at the weekend, so we need more performances of that, like that. Fagioli's gone off the boil and he was poor for Italy in the last international break. He he has like these amazing games where he looks like a world-beater, like against Leipzig and then
00:06:53
Speaker
games where he's he's he's quite poor, so he's been he's been dropped. Pedegrini's suspended and for the first game and he hasn't been called up for the second, but I'm i'm in favour of that regardless of the suspension. I'm i'm happy to
Squad Selections and Tactical Decisions: Why No Locatelli?
00:07:05
Speaker
see him dropped. I want to see some others given a chance. Zagnolo and Luca as well. Zagnolo got injured for Atalanta, by the way. and He's got another, I think it's a muscle injury. So like Chiesa, Zagnolo and Chiesa are having a nightmare really.
00:07:19
Speaker
Fagioli, Pellegrini Zagnolo have no business in this Italy squad. Di Gregoria would have called up. I think Luca, I would have rather had him than Maldini. um And Bela Nova needs to show that Show consistency. Yeah. The the last one though, the the one player that isn't there that I want to discuss, still know Manuel Locatelli. And it'll be interesting in it if Richie pulls out the squad with injury. i don't I don't know how serious the injury is. If he pulls out with with then out of the squad, then Spelletti is going to have to call up another player and that is in Locatelli's position. It'll be very interesting to see. If something has happened between them that we don't know,
00:07:59
Speaker
But I don't think it is. No, I think he just doesn't believe in him. I think he just doesn't believe in him. And if he doesn't believe in him and he doesn't doesn't want to like it, then he shouldn't call him. but You know, my position on this, you can't it's the national team. You have to make it work and you can't call players who you don't believe in.
00:08:17
Speaker
And and if that's the case, then that's that's what he has to do. And if he fails, you'll have to face the music.
Belgium Squad Insights
00:08:25
Speaker
That's simple. Yeah. um But if and unless there has something less an event that has caused a problem between them, if it's just a shelter technique, then you got to trust the coach. Otherwise, what's the point of having a coach?
00:08:40
Speaker
yeah Yeah, it's very strange. It would be nice to see an explanation for it. but you know Yes, it would be nice. It would be very very nice with with an with an injury and we with ah with ah with an explanation as to what happened and what's going on and who and why.
00:08:55
Speaker
Explain talk to people yeah is a shelter technique I'm sure he will be asked about it and then and then he will have to say if it's a shelter technical then fine Okay, that's your that's that's well within your right people can discuss it. Whatever. Yeah, but but it's not Yeah, agreed agreed Belgium's squad. I'll run through these very quickly. So Castile's sales vandervoort the goalies defenders Amina Dakhli Castania the best decoiper Faze, Saze, Smackz. Stop laughing. The defenders, the midfielders. I love the question tone in your way of pronouncing it. I think I've done quite well so far. Faze? You ask me or I'll read it. Labia, Mangala, Onana, Baka Yoko, Dokku, Fofana,
00:09:54
Speaker
Lukibacchio, Lukaku, Openda, and Trossano.
Defensive Tactics Against Belgium
00:09:58
Speaker
So the plays that are out are T. Levens, Bourneau, and Connie Da Vinta are injured. ah Kevin De Bruyne asked not to be ah included, so he won't play again. ah and He didn't play the last game. But the the big returns are Romelu Lukaku, who didn't play against Italy in the first match in Italy, Aldaki, and Chelsea's Romelu Lavia um is is back, and Seis earns his first call up. Here's the thing, you I would not put Bastoni against him. I would play Bastoni as the left center back in Bonjourno in the middle and the Lorenzo to the right. like At this point, given that you're not going to call up a Cherby, which I understand, he's too old, you want to move on, I get that, but you've got Lukaku and you can't put Bastoni on Lukaku.
00:10:42
Speaker
You just can't. You play Bastoni as a left center back, you put Bongiorno in the middle, you put Di Lorenzo to the right, that's your back three. Because Bongiorno, I think, well, given that he trains with Lukaku every day, would know how better to handle him than, and also he's a much more physical player, he's better in the air.
00:11:00
Speaker
i think they will I think that will happen, no, never. I think that will happen. I hope so. I think Bajona will play in the centre and Bastoni on the left. I think there's there's only been, they've only been playing Bastoni in the centre because Callifuri's been playing. Do you know what I mean? So I think now that Callifuri's out, I think that's what happened. i mean but now the caif But even if Calafiori would have played, would have rather played Calafiori in the middle than Bastoni against him. Do you know what I mean? Like, I would rather yeah have someone more physical against the... Because he's not very quick Lukaku anymore. No. So you need to anticipate like Acher. Acher be showed. He basically laid the ground, laid the blueprint for how you stop Romelu Lukaku. He's done it again. He did it against Holland twice. He's done it against Austin. He's showing all the kids how to defend. He's teaching them. He's giving lectures.
00:11:45
Speaker
on how to out-mark good world-class strikers. um and And I think I hope the kids are listening, because good he's the last one.
00:12:00
Speaker
That's a very interesting battle. I'm definitely going to be looking at that. Was it Kostakerta that called Bonjour the heir to Kilini at the weekend? I think so. It's not the first time I've seen that umve seen that said. yeah yeah um well Let look at the probable teams.
Match Line-ups and Strategy Considerations
00:12:17
Speaker
We're recording this on Monday, so that this could change. But I think we know roughly what the Italy team will be. So it's going to be a 3-5-1-1 or 3-5-2 formation. So John O'Rimmer in goal.
00:12:26
Speaker
The back three, I think, are pretty much guarantees. It will be Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno and Bastoni. The wing backs will be Cambiazzo and Di Marco. And then the sentiment field, I think Barrella and Sonali should be pretty much guarantees.
00:12:45
Speaker
And then Richie, it really depends on his injury situation. like Nothing's come out yet about that. So if he's fit, Richie would start. But if not, then someone else is going to have to come in for him. And that's going to be an interesting one. I mean, do you play, say, flatterzi and then move Barella back, Ortonali back into a more of a deeper position?
00:13:05
Speaker
or do you go from more like to like, like Povella, throw him straight in or? I would love to see Povella, I would love to see Povella, surrounded by Tonali and Povella, it would be very interesting. Yeah, and then the front two, I mean Retiki I think will certainly start.
00:13:26
Speaker
then it's a question of whether does he go for two kind of out and out number nines, in which case he goes with form and plays Ken, who absolutely deserves to start based on he scored six goals in his last three games for Fiorentina, definitely deserves to start. Or do you go with with more of a second striker, in which case you go for ah a Raspadori or Maldini? So that's the question. That's the balotagio, basically. I think the big balotagio is... is um who i want to see I want to see Ken and Retegi together.
00:13:54
Speaker
Yeah, possibly. I really want to see them together. I think they can work well together, to be honest.
00:14:03
Speaker
Yeah, I mean, it's a different dynamic, isn't it? Of course. It's a different dynamic, and yeah, we'll see. As for Belgium, we're looking at, you know, they play 4-2-3-1, so we're probably looking at Castile's, then the defense, we're looking at maybe Castagna and Tiata's, the defender, there's the full backs, and then FaZe and DeBast, but DeCoipa, who played really, really well, actually,
00:14:26
Speaker
ah could could potentially, Milano looking at him, could potentially go to left back and then Thiats goes into centre back, we'll see. um And then the midfield, we're looking at probably Onana and and Lavia, maybe, as the as the as the two sentiments of Thielemons is out. And then in terms of the, the the the wing, the trepotiste, we're probably looking at De Kettle and Dokku, for sure.
00:14:54
Speaker
will play it will be two of the three behind Lukaku and then yeah the other one ah we're looking at maybe Trozad or Bakayoko or Lukabaki are probably one of one of those but Lukaku I think you'd expect to start unless they play Openda who's been doing quite well for Leipzig so there is a possibility they could play Openda and Lukaku could maybe play the second game for for but Belgium we'll see.
00:15:23
Speaker
So that's the that's the probable 11s.
Predictions and Hopes for Italy vs. Belgium
00:15:25
Speaker
Prediction time, Nemo. What are you thinking? um I think Italy will win this game. I think Italy are better than Belgium. Honest to God, I think Belgium are in this kind of a generational rebuild, you know, in with the old, and out with the old, in with the new. And I think they're a decent squad, no doubt about that. But I just think Italy are better. And if Italy didly come up to normal level, I think they'll win this by two goals. One, like two, three goals, even. I really don't think
00:15:58
Speaker
And what happened last time around was, was just inviting them into the game. But I think they've learned from that Italy. And I want to see a solid 90 minute performance and I hope they will. I think they'll win this game by two, two, three, one, two nil, something like that. I think they will win maybe by the odd goal.
00:16:14
Speaker
um providing they don't get a red card like they did in the in the first game. That's what I mean. When they were 2-0 up and Pellegrini then then bodged it all up and ruined that game as a spectacle as well. But sam yeah i'm i'm confident I'm confident that we can we can get the result and if it's not we don't get the win I'm confident we can get the draw and and qualify for the quarter-final which would be great and that means we can then hopefully use that France game to to do a bit of rotation and to try out a few more players which would be nice wouldn't it.
00:16:42
Speaker
Yeah, it would.
00:16:46
Speaker
I would like it if Italy won that group. I think it would be good for their confidence if they win the group. Yeah, for sure. And if they can avoid losing. Yeah, for sure. For sure.