Italy will face Belgium and France this week, and the Azzurri need just one point in two matches to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals.

Italy are the Nations League Group A2 leaders with 10 points, one more than France and six more than this evening’s opponents, Belgium.

This means the Azzurri can already secure qualification to the quarter-finals this evening with an away draw in Belgium.

What Italy need to qualify for Nations League quarter-final

The Azzurri will see Nicolò Barella make his first international appearance after last summer’s Euros, while Mateo Retegui, the Serie A leading scorer, will lead the attack at the King Baudouin Stadium.

However, one point against Belgium won’t be enough to win the group and be among the seeded teams in the quarter-final draw, which will take place on November 22.

As of today, Italy’s possible opponents if they win their group are current runners-up Croatia, the Netherlands, and Denmark. If they finish second, they will meet group winners: Portugal, Germany, or Spain.

Dates for Nations League knock-out phase

The Nations League quarter-finals will be played during the March international break in 2025. The first-leg games will be played on March 20, and the second-leg matches will be played on March 23. The semi-finals will be played on June 4 and 5. The Final and the third-place play-off are scheduled for June 8.

Italy have already secured a spot among the seeded teams for the 2026 World Cup draw thanks to their results in the Nations League this season.

Nicolò Barella returns to Italy’s XI in a Nations League game against Romelu Lukaku’s Belgium this evening.

It kicks off at 20:45 GMT (19:45 CET) at the King Baudouin Stadium.

The Azzurri must cope without Samuele Ricci, Riccardo Calafiori, Gianluca Scamacca and Federico Chiesa.

However, Inter star Barella returns after missing the latest four games, joining Davide Frattesi, Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Rovella in the middle of the park. The latter will make his senior Italy debut.

Pietro Comuzzo and Nicolò Savona have also received their first Italy call-ups, while Caleb Okoli is waiting to make his first Azzurri appearance.

Serie A leading scorer Mateo Retegui will get the nod up front, leaving Moise Kean on the bench.

Napoli star Lukaku is expected to start for the Red Devils under Italian coach Domenico Tedesco. Big Rom also missed the previous four international fixtures to get in shape after missing the pre-season at Chelsea.

Belgium vs Italy where to watch

The match will not be televised in the UK, but it is available for free on the ViaPlay international YouTube channel. If you are in Italy, you can watch the TV on Rai or RaiPlay. In the USA, the game will be available to stream online on Fubo, Tubi and ViX.

Belgium vs Italy: probable line-ups

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Casteels; Debast, Faes, Theate, Castagne; Mangala, Onana; Bakayoko, Trossard, De Cuyper; Lukaku.

Italy (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Rovella, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Retegui.

Italy are expected to use Nicolò Barella in a more advanced role to support Mateo Retegui, while Nicolò Rovella can get his debut against Romelu Lukaku’s Belgium.

The Nations League tie kicks off at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

The Azzurri need only one point from the remaining two games to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.

Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off in the 2-2 draw between these sides at the Stadio Olimpico last month, sparking the comeback for Belgium to get a point when 2-0 down.

The Roma captain is therefore suspended and Luciano Spalletti hinted in today’s press conference that Inter star Barella would be used in that hybrid role connecting midfield with attack.

Sky Sport Italia suggest that Lazio midfielder Rovella will be launched straight into the starting XI for his senior Italy debut, flanked by Sandro Tonali and Davide Frattesi, with Alessandro Buongiorno filling in for injured Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori.

Belgium are forced to do without Kevin De Bruyne, Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Malick Fofana and Joaquin Seys.

However, they get Napoli striker Lukaku back for the first time since EURO 2024, as he had taken time out to regain full fitness at club level.

Maxim De Cuyper scored a sensational goal in the first meeting and could be used either as a left-back or in a more advanced role.

The alternative in the trio supporting Lukaku would be Sevilla’s Dodi Lukebakio, therefore dropping Timothy Castagne to the bench.

Probable line-ups: Belgium vs. Italy

Belgium (4-2-3-1): Casteels; Debast, Faes, Theate, Castagne; Mangala, Onana; Bakayoko, Trossard, De Cuyper; Lukaku

Italy (3-5-1-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Rovella, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Retegui

Ref: Petrescu (ROU)

Italy paid tribute to those who died in the Heysel tragedy in 1985, vowing that the events of that day ‘must never happen again,’ as the Nations League match with Belgium is on that same ground.

The Nations League tie kicks off at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

The stadium was reconstructed and given a different name, but it effectively remains the site of the old Heysel Stadium, where 39 Juventus fans were killed in the European Cup Final against Liverpool on May 29, 1985.

Coach Luciano Spalletti, FIGC President Gabriele Gravina, delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon and all the Italy players laid flowers at the plaque honouring their memory today.

“It must remain in everyone’s memory, we owe that respect to all those who lost their lives and their families, to ensure it never happens again,” said Spalletti at the start of today’s press conference.

“Football is made up of beautiful things, there are sad moments too like this one that we must prevent. The stadium is a place where we come to enjoy ourselves and love this sport that means so much to people.

“I remember that night all too well, it was devastating for everyone involved in football and we must use that to protect what is wonderful about this sport in future.”

Italy honour memory of Heysel victims in Brussels

𝑃𝑒𝑟 𝑛𝑜𝑛 𝑑𝑖𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑒 #Heysel pic.twitter.com/NpB7FohxUS

— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) November 13, 2024

They laid three sets of flowers at the plaque where the wall collapsed, crushing those fans in Sector Z before the European Cup Final kicked off.

These flowers were green, white and red, representing the flag of Italy.

“The presence of the Azzurri in the area where the Heysel tragedy occurred represents a sign of great respect and bearing witness to the events of that day,” said FIGC President Gravina.

“Memory defines us as individuals and as a movement. The pain of that tragedy cannot and must not be forgotten, for the victims, for their family members and for all of European football, to ensure it never happens again.”

Representatives of the Belgian Government and football federation also laid flowers.

Luciano Spalletti hints at a new role for Nicolò Barella against Belgium, how Italy must defend using ‘preventative marking’ on Romelu Lukaku and why ‘the objective is to play good football.’

The Nations League tie kicks off at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

When these teams met at the Stadio Olimpico last month, Italy were comfortably leading 2-0 until Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card, allowing Belgium to claw their way back for a 2-2 draw.

Pellegrini is naturally suspended following that dismissal, so there are reports Barella will be used in the more advanced trequartista role behind the strikers.

“We need a player who can connect the midfield with the attack, who can change position with others and have an attacking approach,” confirmed Spalletti in his press conference.

“Barella has all those elements, just as we have other players who know how to play that role. Barella will probably be on the pitch tomorrow.

“The way I see these positions, Barella is more of a trequartista and Davide Frattesi more of a mezz’ala. Frattesi is certainly good at pushing forward, but if we want someone who will occasionally also drop into midfield, then it’s a long run and perhaps he’s better as a mezz’ala.”

Italy need one point from the final two Nations League games to reach the quarter-finals and face France on Sunday, but the coach is not protecting Gianluigi Donnarumma from a possible yellow card and suspension.

“No, Donnarumma will play. We have to trust our players know how to behave in the right way. The mentality of the team can be changed if we think a draw would suffice, so we need to maintain the same attitude we had in recent matches, which was perfect.”

Spalletti identifies Belgium dangers for Italy

Lukaku is back in the Belgium squad and expected to lead the attack tomorrow, although his form for Napoli has been far from ideal.

“Belgium have so many champions to choose from and it doesn’t matter if someone is missing, another great player will take their place,” noted Spalletti.

“Lukaku is particularly strong and will be a danger for our defence, but we must get accustomed to facing top opponents.

“Belgium will try to make the most of Lukaku’s characteristics and give him the service that he prefers. He’s good dealing with crosses from the by-line or holding up the ball to bring his teammates forward. His greatest quality is that he can make any ball seem easy, so it will be fundamental we get the preventative marking right on him.”

There are several new players in the Italy squad for these games, including Pietro Comuzzo and Lazio midfielder Nicolò Rovella, while Manuel Locatelli of Juventus is recalled for the first time since he was left out of EURO 2024.

“Both Rovella and Locatelli are playing very interesting football,” noted Spalletti.

“Their main characteristic is winning back the ball, but they also improved in other aspects. When I say that we are lacking a bit of talent in certain areas, that remains true, but if we can spread the load over all the players, it gets better.

“Locatelli is a good lad, an exceptional professional, his eyes lit up when I called him and that is a very important response to have. I didn’t call him before because I didn’t see certain things in his play that now I do. I don’t know if the change is down to him or his new coach, but quality does make the difference.”

Spalletti transformed Italy after that EURO 2024 disappointment, following the trend in Serie A for a three-man defence, but the coach was asked if that was all that had changed.

“We can be as clear as possible, choosing players with exceptional motivation who have great pleasure pulling on this jersey, whether they step onto the field or not.

“It is true that probably my behaviour was not fair for the potential and quality we had at our disposal, both in choosing certain players and the type of approach that I took.

“As for the rest, the lads deserve credit. There are few fixed positions on the pitch, they are better at showing their qualities as a team.”

The top two sides in the group go into the Nations League play-offs, but Spalletti is hesitant to say the objective is to win it.

“What we want is to play good football. Our objective is to play football and through that bring home results. I believed that when I started in this profession and in 30 years of experience I only reinforced that belief. You have to play good football, enjoy yourself and that brings the best out of people.”

Nicolò Barella returns for Italy against Belgium and sees vast improvements from EURO 2024. ‘They showed great mental strength.’

It kicks off on Thursday at 19.45 GMT in Brussels and the Azzurri need just one point from the remaining two games to be sure of a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

The Inter midfielder had missed the last two call-ups for international duty due to injury concerns, so this will be his first appearance for the Nazionale since the ill-fated EURO 2024 campaign.

“I certainly missed being here with my teammates,” he told the official Italian Football Federation social media channels.

“I am feeling good and thank them for the wonderful performances they had in my absence, because the situation when I was last with them was not easy, especially on a psychological level, but they showed great mental strength.”

Barella sees transformed Italy

Coach Luciano Spalletti has since implemented a 3-5-2 tactical system based largely on the success of Barella’s Inter.

“I can confirm I had good sensations in training. This is a team that proved it is capable of doing very well. I will try to settle back in and give my contribution, if the coach wants me to.”

Barella is not exactly a prolific marksman, but of his 10 senior goals for Italy, two of them were against Belgium in EURO 2020 and the Nations League third-place final.

“I was telling my teammates today that they were my ‘favourite victims’ – but every game is different and logically I’d be happy to score or do well, but I repeat, the coach makes his decisions and I just have to be ready,” noted the midfielder.

When these sides met last month, Italy had been leading 2-0 until the Lorenzo Pellegrini red card, prompting a comeback from Belgium to draw 2-2.

“It is going to be a difficult match, we mustn’t let what happened in the last game affect us. Before that incident, Italy dominated the game, but they are on home turf this time and will want to prove how strong they are.

“I hope it will be an entertaining match for the fans.”

#Barella alla vigilia di #BelgioItalia #NationsLeague#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/SEzXQuK3lw

— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) November 13, 2024

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is convinced it will be ‘tough’ for Belgium to play against his side if they manage to bring to the pitch what he saw in these days’ training sessions and in the previous games.

The Azzurri will take on Domenico Tedesco’s side on Thursday in the first of the final two games of their Nations League group, and Spalletti considers the two fixtures ‘fundamental’ for his players to keep showing ‘self-esteem’ and ‘belief’ in their own potential.

Italy sit on top of their group with 10 points from four games, with their only draw coming during October’s international break against Belgium, who came from behind to draw 2-2 at the Stadio Olimpico after the hosts were reduced to 10 men due to Lorenzo Pellegrini’s dismissal.

Spalletti: Italy will be ‘tough’ to play for Belgium if we are ‘what I saw’

Speaking ahead of Italy’s trip to Belgium, Spalletti explained that getting positive results in the upcoming Nations League fixtures “would be the confirmation that we’ve brought home what we highlighted in previous matches.”

“The continuity of behaviours, the self-esteem in the qualities we possess, the belief in our potential and our strength – in this respect, these two results become fundamental for the attitude we’ll bring to the field.”

The former Napoli and Inter coach seemed very pleased with how Italy’s players have been working in recent days, looking ‘confident’ ahead of two important games.

“I saw important things,” he said.

“I saw what I like to see from my players when you’re in a role like mine. I saw players confident in their qualities, and we’re eager to play these two matches, which can give us so much for the future.

“I expect to see the Italy we saw at the Stadio Olimpico. I don’t know what they [Belgium] will manage to bring to the table, but if we are what I saw this morning, what I saw in previous matches, it will be tough for anyone to play against this Italy.

“I always expect to achieve very important things because of the work I do; otherwise, I’d be the first to limit the mental potential and opportunities of these young players who, on the contrary, need to help us become a very strong national team once again.

Spalletti said he has ‘more or less’ picked up his side’s line-up for the Belgium game.

“More or less, I’ve already chosen the line-up,” he concluded.

“Of course, a decision can be left until the last moment.”

Italy must cope without Samuele Ricci and Riccardo Calafiori in Nations League games against Belgium and France: here’s how Luciano Spalletti will replace the injured pair.

The Azzurri meet Belgium away and France at home in the final Nations League group stage games in November.

The Torino midfielder sustained an ankle injury during the latest Derby della Mole against Juventus last week, while Calafiori has been out of action for nearly a month due to a knee injury suffered with Arsenal.

Ricci was initially included in Spalletti’s 23-man squad list but was later replaced by Juventus playmaker Manuel Locatelli, the player with the most line-breaking passes in Serie A this season.

How Italy will replace Ricci and Calafiori against Belgium and France in Nations League

During a press conference attended by Football Italia on Monday, Spalletti said he was not too worried by Calafiori’s absence given that Inter star Alessandro Bastoni can cover the same role and have the same attacking and defensive duties as the versatile Arsenal star.

This means Bastoni will play as a left defender in a three-man backline, giving Napoli’s Alessandro Buongiorno a chance to prove himself in the middle of the defence.

Replacing Ricci may be trickier for the Azzurri, given that the Torino star has had a key role in the middle of the park for after the Euros.

The 23-year-old is among the best players in Europe for keeping the ball in high-pressure situations and will be replaced by the debutant Nicolò Rovella or Locatelli.

Spalletti will likely use a 3-5-1-1 system in the next two matches, using four central midfielders, and Nicolò Barella could also be deployed as a playmaker in the next two games. The Inter star covered the same role at San Siro this season when replacing the injured Hakan Calhanoglu.

Italy are on their way to Belgium where Spalletti will hold a pre-match press conference later today.

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco assures he ‘feels Italian’ and always cheers on the Azzurri, except in tomorrow’s Nations League clash, where he thanks Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku for being ‘honest.’

It kicks off in Brussels on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

The Azzurri had been leading 2-0 in Rome last month before Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card prompted a Belgian comeback for 2-2, but they need just one point from the final two games to be sure of a place in the Nations League quarter-finals.

This will always be a special fixture for Tedesco, who was born in Calabria and moved with his family to Germany at the age of three.

“I didn’t even have time to get excited about facing Italy in Rome, because we conceded a goal in the opening minute!” the 39-year-old said to La Gazzetta dello Sport.

“I was born in Italy, I have many relatives there, it was wonderful to face Italy for the first time, especially as I always cheer on the Azzurri. Both my parents are Italian, I grew up in an Italian household, albeit in Germany since I was 3, but I do feel more Italian.”

Does he dream of one day coaching in Italy?

“I hope to in future, but I have a contract until after the 2026 World Cup. After that, who knows?”

Much like Italy, Belgium struggled badly at EURO 2024 and were forced to regroup, so Tedesco feels a kinship with Spalletti in that sense.

“We know that we rejuvenated the squad after the 2022 World Cup and were missing numerous players, like Onana, De Bruyne and Lukaku, so we had to throw a lot of young faces in. Luciano Spalletti did the same, which made it a very open and entertaining match.

“We went into the Nations League knowing that we had to try something different. After the Euros, we had to test out some new lads. For example, we are lacking in full-backs, because Timothy Castagne doesn’t play much at Fulham, so I threw in Maxim de Cuyper from Bruges and he scored a great goal. We’re experimenting, but obviously we also want to win and reach the play-offs.”

Tedesco feels kinship with Spalletti

Spalletti transformed the Italy tactical set-up after the European Championship, moving permanently to a three-man defence, and it seems to have paid off with all victories in the Nations League other than that 2-2 draw with Belgium.

“Spalletti is very experienced, he made smart decisions and can move from 3-5-2 to 3-4-3 because he has the players to do it,” said Tedesco.

“The keys are the Inter players, Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi, Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni, while Torino and Atalanta also play that system. Italy seemed very organised to me.”

Belgium are still missing Amadou Onana and Kevin de Bruyne, but compared to the other post-Euro games they have Lukaku back after he asked to be left out of international duty to focus on regaining full fitness at Napoli.

“Rom is important for us, not just on the pitch, but off it too,” assured Tedesco. “We spoke for a long time and it’s fundamental to do that, because every player has his own needs. I don’t want to force anyone to play if they don’t feel up to it. Romelu told me in September that he arrived late at Napoli and had missed pre-season training, so he needed to catch up,” continued Tedesco.

“He was very honest and said he would come when he was able to help the team. De Bruyne too decided to skip the Nations League to get more rest. It’s tough, but important to be honest in these situations, Kevin can reach over 80 games this season between Manchester City and Belgium, so he needed a break.”

Atalanta star De Ketelaere was in the squad, but was forced to withdraw due to injury just as he was finding his form with Atalanta.

“It’s disappointing, I expected him to flourish because he played so little at Milan, whereas Atalanta is a good place to develop young players. I am not surprised by how much he has improved.”

Meanwhile, Tedesco has called up Juventus winger Samuel Mbangula for the first time, promoting him from the Belgium Under-21 squad.

“I have Doku and Carrasco in his role and both are injured, along with Fofana and Trossard, but young Belgian players know they have a chance with me.”

Belgium have been forced to call in four new players for the Nations League matches against Italy and Israel, including a first senior nod for Juventus winger Samuel Mbangula.

The showdown with the Azzurri kicks off at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

Coach Domenico Tedesco had named Atalanta forward Charles De Ketelaere, Jeremy Doku, Malick Fofana and Joaquin Seys for these games, but they all had to withdraw due to injury.

They were replaced by Mbangula, Arthur Vermeeren, Albert Sambi Lokonga and Killian Sardella.

Mbangula flourishing at Juventus

This is the first senior call-up for Mbangula, who has been launched into the Juventus first team by coach Thiago Motta this season.

The 20-year-old left-sided winger already has six caps for Belgium at Under-21 level and can play in a variety of attacking roles.

He joined the Juventus academy in September 2020 and worked his way through the levels, making seven Serie A appearances and one in the Champions League this term.

Mbangula contributed one goal and three assists.

Belgium squad:

Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels (Al-Qadsiah), Maarten Vandevoort (RB Leipzig), Matz Sels (Nottingham Forest)

Defenders: Timothy Castagne (Fulham), Zeno Debast (Sporting), Maxim de Cuyper (Club Brugge), Wout Faes (Leicester City), Arthur Theate (Eintracht Frankfurt), Matte Smets (KRC Genk), Ameen Al-Dakhil (Stuttgart), Killian Sardella (RSC Anderlecht)

Midfielders: Amadou Onana (Aston Villa), Orel Mangala (Nottingham Forest), Arne Engels (Celtic), Romeo Lavia (Chelsea), Samuel Mbangula (Juventus), Albert Sambi Lokonga (Sevilla), Arthur Vermeeren (RB Leipzig)

Forwards: Johan Bakayoko (PSV Eindhoven), Dodi Lukebakio (Sevilla), Lois Openda (RB Leipzig), Leandro Trossard (Arsenal), Romelu Lukaku (Napoli)

UEFA have assigned Romanian referee Radu Petrescu to officiate the Nations League match between Belgium and Italy on Thursday.

The fixture kicks off at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on Thursday at 19.45 GMT.

All the Azzurri need is one point from the remaining two Nations League games to ensure they qualify for the quarter-final stage of the tournament.

UEFA announced that Petrescu has been appointed to officiate this match, assisted by fellow countrymen Radu Ghignuleac, Mircea Mihail Gigoriu and fourth official Marcel Birsan.

The VAR team is also Romanian, Catalin Popa and assistant Andrei Chivulete.

Petrescu record with Belgium and Italy

Petrescu turns 42 today and has never officiated Italy at senior level, but did oversee three wins and a draw for the Under-17 and Under-19 teams.

His record with Italian sides at club level is of one win, four draws and zero defeats.

Petrescu’s Belgian record at senior level is of two wins, no draws and two losses.

Juventus winger Samuel Mbangula has received his first ever call-up to the senior Belgium national team for November’s Nations League fixtures against Italy and Israel. 

Juventus talent Mbangula earns first ever Belgium call-up

The recent Next Gen graduate was called in as a last-minute replacement for Olympique Lyonnais forward Malick Fofana, who misses out through injury. Mbangula had originally been selected to represent Belgium’s U21s later this month. 

Mbangula is the third Serie A player to be called up to Domenico Tedesco’s Belgium squad for the November Nations League fixtures, alongside Romelu Lukaku of Napoli and Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere. 

Belgium will host Italy at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels on November 14, before travelling to Budapest in Hungary to face Israel ‘away’ three days later. 

Mbangula broke through to the Juventus first-team at the beginning of the 2024-25 season and markes his first start for the senior team with a goal after 23 minutes of the 3-0 victory over Como on the opening weekend. 

He has since provided another two assists from his seven Serie A appearances this term, and also made his first appearance in the Champions League at the end of the recent 1-1 draw with Lille.

Inter defender Benjamin Pavard has received  a last-minute call-up to Didier Deschamps’s France national team squad to replace the injured Chelsea centre-back Wesley Fofana. 

Inter’s Pavard called up to France squad

Pavard joins several other Serie A representatives in Les Bleues’s latest squad, including Nerazzurri teammate Marcus Thuram and Milan trio Mike Maignan, Theo Hernandez and Youssouf Fofana. Lazio and Roma midfielders Matteo Guendouzi and Manu Kone have also been selected. 

France will play the final two matches of their Nations League group stage fixtures in November. They will host Israel at the Stade de France on November 14, before playing against Italy at San Siro three days later. 

France currently sit in second in Group 2 of the Nations League’s ‘A’ league on nine points from four games. 

Italy remain the only nation to take points off France this season, after the memorable 3-1 victory away in Paris back in September. Goals came from Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori on that occasion. 

Wesley Fofana, qui ressent une douleur à un genou, ne participera pas au rassemblement avec les Bleus.

Benjamin Pavard est appelé en renfort pic.twitter.com/ud5zV4FeRl

— Equipe de France (@equipedefrance) November 11, 2024

Four players in Luciano Spalletti’s most recent Italy national team squad will be hoping to earn their debuts during Nations League fixtures against Belgium and France in November, including three who have earned their first ever call-ups to the senior squad. 

Here are the new faces among the Italy squad. 

Four uncapped players included in Italy squad 

Spalletti has handed first call-ups to three players in Pietro Comuzzo, Nicolo Savona and Nicolo Rovella. Caleb Okoli is also in the squad, which makes it three consecutive call-ups, but he is yet to get out on the pitch for the Nazionale. 

Comuzzo, at just 19 years of age, has been called into the squad at centre-back while Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Gabbia sit out with injuries. 

He and Okoli will be particularly hopeful of minutes this camp, as they are two of five recognised centre-backs in a team that usually plays in a back three. There are other options for one of those roles as well, of course, such as Giovanni Di Lorenzo, while Alessandro Bastoni and Alessandro Buongiorno are practically nailed-on starters this time around. 

Savona has also been included in the senior squad for the Belgium and France games. He only earned his first U21 call-up last month after an impressive start to life in the Juventus first team. 

There is also a first inclusion for Lazio midfielder Rovella, who has played an important role in helping the Biancocelesti win nine out of their last 10 matches in all competitions. 

Italy will play against Belgium on November 14 and then at home against France in San Siro three days later on November 17.

Official: Spalletti confirms 23-man Italy squad for November fixtures

Pietro Comuzzo was one of the surprise inclusions in Luciano Spalletti’s latest Italy national team squad after an impressive start to life in the Fiorentina first-team. Here is everything you need to know about the Viola defender and why he has been selected for the Azzurri. 

Who is Pietro Comuzzo?

Comuzzo was born just outside of Udine, and had a brief year in the Udinese youth ranks before moving on to Pordenone for the 2017-18 season. 

Fiorentina signed him as a 14-year-old in 2018. He then appeared as the captain of the U18s side a few years later and has enjoyed a rapid rise through the youth ranks to the senior set-up over the last year and a half. 

Comuzzo began training with the Fiorentina first team under Vincenzo Italiano at the beginning of the 2023-24 season, and made his Serie A debut as a second-half substitute in a 3-1 win over Napoli in October 2023. 

After the appointment of Raffaele Palladino this summer, Comuzzo’s stock has risen even higher in Tuscany. He was selected as a starter for the 1-1 draw with Parma in Fiorentina’s first Serie A match of the season, and has since started in nine out of 11 possible league matches. 

Comuzo rise with Italy: Why he earned November call-up

The teenager has enjoyed a rapid rise through the Italy ranks as well, as he has passed through three different age categories over the last month, teaming up with the U20s in September, skipping the U21s in October and now the senior side in November. 

He was one of two changes at centre-back in Spalletti’s latest Italy squad, as Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Gabbia were both left out of the November squad due to injury. Comuzzo and Federico Gatti were called in to replace then. 

Praised for his strength, solidity and reading of the game, La Gazzetta dello Sport claim that he ‘looks like a 30-year-old’ on the pitch. 

Comuzzo cites Leonardo Bonucci and Virgil van Dijk as his role models at centre-back.

Luciano Spalletti confirmed his latest Italy national team squad on Friday evening, welcoming six new or returning players to his group ahead of Nations League fixtures against Belgium and France in November. 

Six new and returning Italy players in November 

There is a return to the national team squad for Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, who replaces Michele Di Gregorio, but is unlikely to start over Gianluigi Donnarumma or Guglielmo Vicario. 

Juventus Next Gen graduate Nicolo Savona has earned his first call-up to the senior national team. The emerging Bianconeri right-back was included in Carmine Nunziata’s U21 squad in October. 

There is another first call-up to the senior team for 19-year-old Fiorentina centre-back Pietro Comuzzo, who is included after just 13 career appearances in Serie A. 

Federico Gatti is also back in the Juventus squad following injuries to fellow centre-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Mattia Gabbia. 

Nicolo Barella has returned as well. He skipped the October Nations League matches to have a pre-arranged operation on his nose to help with his breathing and circulation. 

Lazio midfielder Nicolo Rovella has earned his first call-up to the national team squad as well thanks to his role in the strong Biancocelesti start to the 2024-25 season.

Official: Spalletti confirms 23-man Italy squad for November fixtures

Seven players have dropped out of Luciano Spalletti’s Italy national team squad for Nations League fixtures against Belgium and France in November, including injured centre-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Mattia Gabbia, while two Juventus players have also been dropped. 

Which seven players have been dropped from Italy squad? 

There has been a change among the goalkeeping department between the October and November squads, as Juventus’s Michele Di Gregorio drops out and is replaced by Napoli’s Alex Meret. 

Two injured centre-backs, namely Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori and Milan’s Matteo Gabbia are not fit to play. Federcio Gatti is back in the squad as a result, while 19-year-old Pietro Comuzzo has also earned his first senior call-up. 

Right wing-back Raoul Bellanova has not been included this time around, but Juve youngster Nicolo Savona has instead. 

Roma captain Lorenzo Pellegrini has not been chosen this time after his red-card while Italy were two goals up in an eventual 2-2 draw with Belgium last month. 

Juventus’s Nicolo Fagioli, who has been on the bench for the last three Bianconeri matches, has not made the cut this time around either. 

Nicolo Zaniolo has not been included, although he was a last-minute replacement in October and wasn’t included in the original squad then, either.

All four of Juve’s designated attackers remain the same in November as they were in October: Moise Kean, Mateo Retegui, Giacomo Raspadori and Daniel Maldini are included. 

Official: Spalletti confirms 23-man Italy squad for November fixtures

Luciano Spalletti has officially confirmed his Italy national team squad for November’s Nations League fixtures against Belgium and France, including first call-ups for Nicolo Savona, Pietro Comuzzo and Nicolo Rovella. 

Italy will play their fifth and sixth Nations League matches of the season away against Belgium on November 14 and then against France in San Siro on November 17. 

There are a few changes compared to Spalletti’s last Nations League squad back in October. Centre-backs Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Gabbia miss out through injury, which means a return for Federico Gatti and a first senior call-up for 19-year-old Comuzzo. 

Nicolo Barella is in the squad after missing out in October while he had an operation on his nose. Nicolo Rovella is also included after Lazio’s strong start to the 2024-25 season. 

Niccolo Pisilli and Daniel Maldini, who earned their first call-ups in October, remain with the squad for the November fixtures. 

Official: Spalletti confirms latest Italy squad 

Goalkeepers: Donnarumma (PSG), Vicario (Tottenham), Meret (Napoli). 

Defenders: Bastoni (Inter), Buongiorno (Napoli), Cambiaso (Juventus), Comuzzo (Fiorentina), Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Dimarco (Inter), Gatti (Juventus), Okoli (Leicester City), Savona (Juventus), Udogie (Tottenham). 

Midfielders: Barella (Inter), Frattesi (Inter), Pisilli (Roma), Ricci (Torino), Rovella (Lazio), Tonali (Newcastle). 

Forwards: Kean (Fiorentina), Maldini (Monza), Raspadori (Napoli), Retegui (Atalanta).

𝑵𝒂𝒛𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒆

La lista dei 23 convocati del Ct Luciano #Spalletti per i due impegni in Nations League contro Belgio e Francia

https://t.co/m9hi8fRKbU#Nazionale #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/gTTxpxbfvF

— Nazionale Italiana (@Azzurri) November 8, 2024

Lazio and former Arsenal left-back Nuno Tavares has earned his first call-up to the senior Portugal national team squad after an impressive start to life in Serie A with the Biancocelesti so far in 2024-25. 

Tavares included in latest Portugal squad

Tavares is one of three Serie A players to be included in Roberto Martinez’s latest squad, alongside Milan’s Rafael Leao and Juventus’s Francisco Conceicao. Tiago Djalo, currently on loan at Porto from Juventus has also been included. 

It is a first call-up to the senior side for Nuno Tavares, who joined Lazio on loan with an option to buy in the summer. The Biancocelesti reportedly agreed to pay a €6m fee if the move is made permanent, also including a 20% sell-on clause for Arsenal. 

The 24-year-old has taken to life in Serie A with ease, providing eight assists from his first eight Serie A matches of the season. 

Portugal are due to play against Poland on November 15 and will then have another Nations League match away against Croatia on November 18. 

Os 𝗘𝗦𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗛𝗜𝗗𝗢𝗦 para alcançar o primeiro objetivo na Liga das Nações! #PartilhaAPaixão | #NationsLeague pic.twitter.com/XL9WrhVCZL

— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) November 8, 2024

On November 17, 2024, football fans worldwide will turn their attention to Stadio Giuseppe Meazza in Milan, where Italy’s national team will take on France in a highly anticipated UEFA Nations League match. Slated for 20:45 CET, this encounter not only promises high-stakes action but is also deeply rooted in a rich history of footballing rivalry. As Italy aims to assert its dominance on home soil, France arrives with their own ambitions to silence the Milanese crowd and claim a crucial victory. Let’s delve into the significance of the UEFA Nations League, revisit the storied Italy-France rivalry, and highlight the most memorable moments that have defined this captivating matchup.

The UEFA Nations League – Elevating European Football

The UEFA Nations League, launched in 2018, was conceived to bring added prestige and purpose to international friendlies, providing Europe’s national teams with a competitive platform outside of traditional tournaments like the Euros and the World Cup. This biennial tournament pits Europe’s best teams against each other in a league-style format, with promotion and relegation adding a thrilling dynamic. Divided into leagues based on their UEFA rankings, teams compete to either climb to higher leagues or avoid relegation, creating competitive matches even in the international “off-season.”

For Italy, the Nations League has become a proving ground to showcase the resurgence of Italian football after their surprising failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup. Italy reached the semifinals in 2021, demonstrating their potential by defeating teams like Belgium. France, the reigning World Cup champions in 2018, initially struggled to adapt to the new format but bounced back to win the 2021 Nations League by defeating Spain in the final. Both teams view the Nations League as a serious opportunity to bolster their international profiles and momentum ahead of the upcoming European Championship and World Cup cycles.

Italy and France – A Storied Rivalry

The rivalry between Italy and France is one of Europe’s most storied, dating back nearly a century. Their first recorded meeting was in 1910, a match that saw Italy secure a decisive 6-2 victory. Since then, the two teams have met over 40 times, with both sides experiencing their fair share of triumphs and heartbreaks.

A defining moment in this rivalry came in the 2006 World Cup final, a match that is etched into football history, especially with some well-known but forgotten players. Played in Berlin, the final was an emotional rollercoaster, with both teams trading blows in an intense battle. Italy ultimately prevailed in a dramatic penalty shootout, clinching their fourth World Cup title and leaving France heartbroken. This match, of course, will forever be remembered for Zinedine Zidane’s infamous headbutt on Marco Materazzi, an incident that only added to the drama and tension between these two nations.

The rivalry continued to heat up in the 2008 UEFA European Championship when the two teams met in the group stage. Italy emerged victorious, eliminating France from the tournament and delivering yet another painful blow to their rivals. However, France had their revenge in 2016, knocking Italy out in the Euro quarterfinals in an emphatic display. Each matchup between these teams has only served to intensify the rivalry, with each victory adding fuel to the fire and each loss stinging that much more.

Highlights, Lowlights, and Expectations

Over the years, the Italy-France rivalry has produced iconic moments that have captivated fans worldwide. In addition to the high-stakes finals, there have been numerous friendly encounters and qualifiers that have kept this rivalry fresh and unpredictable. One highlight for Italy came in 1998 when they held France to a goalless draw in the World Cup quarterfinals, only to be eliminated on penalties. Despite the loss, Italy’s ability to stifle the eventual world champions showcased their defensive prowess, a hallmark of Italian football.

On the other hand, a notable lowlight for France occurred in 1986 when they lost to Italy in a friendly, with the Italian squad thoroughly outplaying them. However, France has enjoyed its share of victories, including a famous win in 2000 when they defeated Italy 2-1 in the UEFA Euro final with a golden goal by David Trezeguet, a moment that remains one of the most painful in Italian football history.

The upcoming match on November 17 brings a new chapter to this storied rivalry. Italy’s young and ambitious squad, led by an emerging generation of talent, is eager to prove itself, especially after Italy’s struggles in recent years. The Italian faithful are hopeful that Milan’s iconic San Siro stadium will provide the necessary support to spur their team to victory. For the French, this match is equally significant as they look to maintain their recent dominance and remind Europe why they are perennial contenders on the international stage.

For fans eager to catch the clash from abroad, there are several options to watch live by connecting to a VPN provider. In Europe, networks like Sky Sports and RAI in Italy and TF1 in France will broadcast the match. In the United States, fans can tune in via streaming services such as ESPN+ and Paramount+, which typically cover UEFA Nations League fixtures. Additionally, global streaming platforms like UEFA.tv may offer live streams or highlights, ensuring fans worldwide won’t miss a moment of this thrilling encounter. Check local listings for specific details in your region.

As kickoff approaches, the anticipation is building for a match that will likely feature tight defending, flashes of attacking brilliance, and perhaps even a bit of drama befitting the rivalry. When Italy and France step onto the field, they bring with them decades of history, pride, and a deep-seated desire to outdo one another. Only time will tell who emerges victorious on November 17, but one thing is certain: the fans are in for an unforgettable night. For the full schedule, fans can rejoice as the play is only getting more and more interesting.