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.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

Exclusive Fofana

‘You’ll have to deal with Milan for the Scudetto’

Ranieri’s return

The Roma tinker man: ‘A hard nut to crack? I’m here for this.’

Sinner and national team at the same time

Italy desire

A draw in Bruxelles for the Nations League quarter-finals. Spalletti advances Barella, Retegui in attack.

Corriere dello Sport

Ranieri, third time at Roma, the toughest challenge

Dad is back

The 73-year-old coach has signed until June 2025. He could stay as a director in the future: he must give serenity to the team and the environment. He’ll take charge of the first post-Juric training session today.

Double Italy

Jannik for the Finals’ semis, Retegui for the World Cup and Nations

The World’s No.1 needs just one set to enter the top four. Spalletti needs a point to pave the way towards 2026. Barella attacking midfielder, Rovella’s debut.

DeLa fury: ‘Inappropriate Marotta’

‘Conte is right and thinks the same as me. It’s a tool to avoid referee errors; we need a new protocol to avoid suspects; otherwise, football’s growth is blocked. Inter penalty inexistent.’

Lautaro, social media tension

Juve, Dier is Giuntoli’s latest idea

Tuttosport

Cabal’s crac forces Giuntoli to act for January.

Dragusin, Kiwior, Ismajli, Ortiz and Lindelof the main candidates for the defence. Motta must not replace Bremer only. Djalò convinces Porto and favours Conceiçao’s signature.

Nations League: against Belgium at 20:45.

Italy, in the name of 39 angels

Azzurri pay tribute to the Heysel victims. Cambiaso: ‘We’ll honour them.’ A positive result for the quarter-finals and the World Cup. Barella is back as an attacking midfielder.

Ranieri, Roma’s heart

The love for the Giallorossi has convinced him to accept the Friedkins’ proposal. Six months on the bench, then director. Enthusiasm in Fiumicino. Tennis player Cobolli was among those welcoming him.

Yes, to the Granata march, but on another day

The simultaneity of a charity race will prevent the pre-Monza parade. Protests against Cairo even on the Piazza San Carlo roofs.

ADL attacks Marotta: ‘Inappropriate words.’

De Laurentiis defends Conte: ‘He has expressed correct concepts. The penalty was inexistent. If there’s an error, VAR must call the referee; otherwise, you fuel suspects.’

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)

Marco Materazzi hopes Simone Inzaghi will stay at Inter despite Premier League interest, begged Jose Mourinho to stay and believes the Byron Moreno scandal helped prepare Italy for the 2006 World Cup triumph, regardless of Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt.

The now retired defender sat down with the Italian Football Podcast to look back over his lengthy career at club and international level, while also casting an eye on the current calcio scene.

He was in the stands for Inter’s 1-1 draw with Napoli in Serie A last week and enjoyed the performances of the defenders, above all Francesco Acerbi and Alessandro Buongiorno.

“It was an impressive game by Buongiorno. Because in 1 vs 1 against Thuram, because Thuram is strong and fast but for Buongiorno it was easy to catch him. But Napoli maybe paid €40m for him. Now minimum they want not double but €60 million.

“If Antonio Conte stays in Napoli maybe Buongiorno will stay in Napoli. It is a good team and good club,” continued Materazzi.

“Ok, Acerbi is maybe 50-60-70 years old but last match he was the Man Of The Match. Lukaku didn’t touch a ball in that game.

“For me age is important, but not that important. If he is fit, he can play until 38-39 years old, we will see. At the moment Acerbi is one of the best defenders in Italy.”

Inzaghi impressed with his trophy haul at Inter and is doing well in the Champions League too, holding Manchester City to a 0-0 draw and beating Arsenal 1-0.

This helped boost reports that after having failed before to convince him, Premier League clubs could be back in for the coach.

“I am an Inter fan. I hope he stays at Inter because his job there hasn’t been finished yet. I think he is a good profile for the Premier League,” confessed Materazzi.

“Maybe Arteta, who is one of the best coaches in the Premier League, but for me Arsenal is one of the clubs in my opinion for Simone.

“Maybe Manchester United. And Manchester City too, because nobody knows what Pep will do.

“But I hope Simone stays in Italy. I’m not his manager. I’m his friend because we played each other and we have a good relationship. I can’t decide on his fate.”

Materazzi was part of the Inter squad that won the 2010 Treble under Mourinho and the bear hug he gave the Special One went viral after that Champions League Final victory.

“I was hugging him because he left us. I’m sure with him we would win many more titles in a row in 2011. But he decided to leave Inter after the game.

“The last two weeks before the game [Champions League final in 2010], I went to José’s office to pray to him to stay. For us as a family, you can see José as a strong person, but he is also very nice. Because he creates a lot of happiness in a locker room, which is very important for me to become champions.

“But he never looked me in the eyes these two weeks, so I understood everything before the final was played.”

Materazzi hero of 2006 World Cup

The highlight of Materazzi’s career was no doubt winning the 2006 World Cup with Italy, where he took centre-stage in the Final against France.

However, before that, he was part of the squad that crashed out of the 2002 tournament in the Round of 16 with defeat to South Korea, a game overshadowed by the bizarre officiating of Ecuadorian referee Moreno.

“I don’t know if he is still in prison, no?” laughed Materazzi, referring to the corruption and cocaine smuggling convictions for Moreno in the following years.

“Maybe he has more problems than that Italy Korea game. But in my opinion that Italy team was better than the 2006. We didn’t have Pirlo but in my opinion that Italy team was better than in 2006.

“We deserved to go ahead in that game, but Byron Moreno was a joker for them. But then we went home and started to prepare for the 2006 World Cup.”

Prepare they did, winning in Germany on a penalty shoot-out against France, where Zidane was sent off in extra time for headbutting Materazzi in the chest.

“You never know what would have happened with him [on the pitch]. He got the red card maybe just 15 minutes before the game was over.

“I don’t like to remember that because in my opinion, you have to remember me for my two goals scored in the World Cup final. I don’t know how many defenders who have scored two goals in the World Cup Final. So that was very important,” insisted Materazzi.

“Maybe he could have scored the penalty [in the shootout]. But in my opinion Trezeguet is one of the best penalty takers in the game, but was unlucky. Had he scored then we would have drawn and shot more penalties. Maybe it was destiny that Italy win the World Cup.”

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.”

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Italy coach Luciano Spalletti has two line-up doubts on the eve of a Nations League game against Belgium.

Italy visit Belgium in Bruxelles on Thursday night.

The Azzurri trained in Coverciano this morning before flying to the Belgian capital from Florence.

La Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Spalletti has picked nine starters from 11 and only has two line-up doubts for the upcoming international fixture.

Spalletti has two Italy line-up doubts for Belgium clash

One is in the middle of the park, where Nicolò Rovella is favourite over Manuel Locatelli.

The latter joined the team on Monday evening to replace the injured Samuele Ricci.

The other uncertain starter is in the attacking midfield role, but in this case, Inter’s Davide Frattesi is favourite over Giacomo Raspadori and Daniel Maldini.

Spalletti is expected to use a 3-5-1-1 formation, with Serie A leading scorer Mateo Retegui getting the nod in attack and Moise Kean starting on the bench.

Nicolò Barella will make his first international appearance since last summer’s Euros, joining Sandro Tonali in the middle of the park.

Andrea Cambiaso and Federico Dimarco will be the wingbacks, while Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Buongiorno, and Alessandro Bastoni will form a three-man backline in front of Gigio Donnarumma.

Spalletti will address the media at a pre-match press conference from Belgium later today.

Source: Gazzetta dello Sport newspaper, November 13, page 11.

Manuel Locatelli has returned to Italy’s national team, and, as reported by Opta, the Juventus midfielder has had the most line-breaking passes in Serie A this term.

Juventus midfielder Locatelli has returned to Italy’s national team to replace the injured Samuele Ricci.

The Torino playmaker had suffered an injury during the latest derby d’Italia against Locatelli’s Juventus at the Allianz Stadium.

Key stat explains Locatelli’s Italy return after Euro darkness

Italy coach Spalletti announced Locatelli’s return during a press conference attended by Football Italia in Coverciano on Monday.

As reported by Opta on X, formerly Twitter, Locatelli has had 142 line-breaking passes in the Serie A this season, at least 19 more than any other player.

Spalletti dropped Locatelli for last summer’s Euros following unconvincing performances for Juventus under Massimiliano Allegri.

The central midfielder reacted on Instagram with a cryptic, all-black Instagram picture that mirrored his mood after Spalletti’s Euro 2024 squad was announced.

Locatelli, 26, has 14 appearances across all competitions with Juventus this term.

Italy international Sandro Tonali showed off an unexpected new skill to Newcastle United supporters, proving he is not just an artist on the field.

The Magpies social media team set a challenge for several different players, giving them 90 seconds to draw the club badge.

While some of the results were mixed at best, particularly when it comes to seahorses, Tonali provided a surprisingly accurate rendition of the crest.

The midfielder is currently preparing to play for Italy in the two Nations League matches against Belgium and France.

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

Tonali reveals surprising skill

Work of art, Sandro! pic.twitter.com/8otESaPUN2

— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) November 12, 2024

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.

Italy U21 have qualified for the 2025 European Championship and are now preparing for friendlies against France and Ukraine, but Burnley talent Luca Koleosho won’t take part in these games after picking up an injury.

The 20-year-old was included in the 27-player squad announced by the Azzurrini coach Carmine Nunziata last week, in an attacking department which also comprised Leeds striker Willy Gnonto.

Burnley’s Koleosho dropped by Italy U21 squad after injury

Koleosho had previously racked up only two appearances with Italy U21 in November 2023 and more recently in October 2021, when he came on in the second half during his side’s 1-1 draw against Ireland that earned Nunziata’s outfit a spot in next year’s European Under-21 Championship.

However, the 20-year-old’s hopes of playing his third game with the Azzurrini were dashed by an injury which ruled him out of the upcoming friendlies against France and Ukraine during the international break, as reported by Alfredo Pedullà.

Koleosho, who underwent surgery due to a knee injury in December 2023, has since recovered and taken his place back at Burnley, with whom he played 14 Championship matches this term, scoring two goals.

Juventus sold several players last summer, including wingers Federico Chiesa and Matias Soulé, but none of the former Bianconeri stars are shining at their new clubs, except for Fiorentina hero Moise Kean.

Juventus had to sell many players in the 2024 summer window to balance the books and finance a transfer campaign that saw the Bianconeri invest nearly €200m in new signings.

La Gazzetta dello Sport highlights that most ex-Juventus players are struggling to settle at their new clubs.

From Chiesa to Soulé: Juventus have no transfer regrets, except for Kean

The most obvious example is Federico Chiesa, who joined Liverpool for €12m plus add-ons but has been struggling with injuries at Anfield, collecting just three appearances with the Premier League giants.

Dean Huijsen also moved to England but has played just six games with Bournemouth after a transfer exceeding €15m.

Enzo Barrenechea and Samuel Iling-Junior joined Aston Villa for a combined €22m fee but already left on loan for Valencia and Bologna, respectively.

Matias Soulé has failed to justify his €25m price tag due to Roma’s crisis as well. Facundo Gonzalez has collected four appearances with Feyenoord, but the Dutch side have an obligation to make his move permanent for €6m at the end of the season.

The only exception for the Bianconeri is Kean, who didn’t score any goals in Turin last season but has already netted eight times at Fiorentina and is the current second-best scorer in Serie A. Fiorentina paid €12m plus add-ons for the Italy international who had a year left in his contract at the Allianz Stadium.

Another ex-Juventus striker, Kaio Jorge, has scored six goals for Cruzeiro following a €7.2m transfer.

Juventus defender Nicolò Savona is thrilled following his first Italy call-up and admits facing Jérémy Doku in the Nations League would be an ‘excellent test.’

Versatile Juventus defender Savona has earned his first Italy call-up for Nations League games against Belgium and France in November.

A product of the Juventus academy, Savona has made his senior debut under Thiago Motta this season and has already scored two goals with the Bianconeri.

He has crossed paths with Giorgio Chiellini at Juventus as the ex-defender has recently returned to the club as a director.

“He’s given me advice; the primary one was to keep the same humility to reach great professional targets,” Savona said at a press conference on Tuesday, as quoted by TMW.

• Read more – Italy debutant Comuzzo admires Chiellini and wants to learn from Calafiori

“Technically, he told me to improve in every training and work hard.”

Savona, 19, comes from Valle D’Aosta, a region of northwest Italy bordered by France and Switzerland, and football wasn’t the only sport he played as a kid.

“My home is near ski slopes, and I did a few races as a kid,” he said.

“However, when I was 10, I had to choose between football and skiing, and I chose football because I didn’t like skiing that much.”

Savona has been deployed as a right-back at Juventus, but he can also play in a three-man defence, making him suitable for Italy’s new 3-5-2 system.

“It’s important to cover many roles nowadays,” he said.

“I can attack and defend, and last season, I mostly played defender in a three-man defence. I can cover both roles, and I think this is an advantage.

“I must maintain my humility and work hard. I must not lose these qualities and will try to remain as I am.”

Savona said he was delighted with Spalletti’s welcome at Coverciano and briefly spoke about Italy’s upcoming games.

“[Plyaing] Italy-France at San Siro would be nice, but being here is already a great emotion. Facing Belgium’s Doku would be an excellent test,” he concluded.

Savona has scored two goals in 14 appearances in all competitions this season with Juventus.

Later today, the Azzurri will train at Coverciano behind closed doors and tomorrow, they’ll fly to Belgium, where they’ll face the Red Devils on Thursday, November 14

Italy debutant Pietro Comuzzo admits Giorgio Chiellini is his idol, but he wants to become a ‘complete’ defender, so he’s eager to learn from Alessandro Bastoni and Riccardo Calafiori.

Fiorentina defender Comuzzo has earned his first Italy call-up in November thanks to impressive performances with the Tuscans.

“Every kid playing football and watching the national team on TV dreams of becoming like them,” the 19-year-old centre-back said at a press conference on Tuesday, as quoted by TMW.

“Coming here is the biggest dream I could have fulfilled. I haven’t celebrated. I have done nothing special.

Italy debutant admires Chiellini and wants to learn from Calafiori

“I’ve received many messages, but the nicest one was from my father. I’ve spoken to many of my ex-coaches, and I’ll always be grateful for their help in reaching the national team.

“The ‘Inno di Mameli’ [Italy’s national anthem] is the best in the world, and it makes you feel the importance and beauty of this country. Singing it on the pitch is the best thing I could imagine.”

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti was impressed by Comuzzo’s physicality, and it’s no coincidence that it was also the primary skill set of the promising defender’s idol, Chiellini.

“He is. I enjoyed the Euros in 2021, and watching Chiellini play those matches and lift the trophy was an immense joy,” said Comuzzo.

“I feel at ease with man-marking. I like duels. It’s what I like the most, but I don’t want to limit myself, I want to improve technically and in the build-up. I want to learn from Bastoni and Calafiori and become a complete defender.”

Comuzzo will train with Bastoni during the November break, while Calafiori has been ruled out of games against Belgium and France due to a knee injury he sustained in October with Arsenal.

Fiorentina beat Hellas Verona 3-1 on Sunday and are just one point below table leaders Napoli.

“Palladino gives me advice on how to improve,” said Comuzzo.

“The best thing about Fiorentina is the group. We are there because we deserve it and we want to remain there for as long as possible, but now I am only focused on the national team.”

Italy will visit Belgium this coming Thursday and host France at San Siro on Sunday, November 17. Which game would Comuzzo like to be involved in?

“It’s an incredible emotion to be here. If I had to choose one, I’d say the France game because it is at San Siro, but facing Lukaku would be a great test,” he concluded.