Nations League Line-ups: Belgium v Italy

On November 15, 2024By Littum

Nicolò Barella starts in a new, more advanced role behind Mateo Retegui with Nicolò Rovella debuting in midfield as Italy visit Romelu Lukaku’s Belgium.

It starts at King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels at 19.45 GMT.

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from this Nations League clash on the Liveblog.

The Azzurri are top of the group and only need one point from the remaining two matches to ensure qualification for the quarter-finals.

These teams drew 2-2 in Rome last month as Nazionale led comfortably 2-0 until Lorenzo Pellegrini’s red card allowed Belgium to fight back.

Pellegrini is therefore suspended, with Samuele Ricci and Riccardo Calafiori injured, but Barella returns for the first time since EURO 2024 and is given a new trequartista role behind Serie A top scorer Retegui.

Instead, Lazio midfielder Rovella will make his senior Italy debut from the start.

epa11691112 Napoli's Romelu Lukaku (R) celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli, in Milan, Italy, October 29, 2024. EPA-EFE/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO — Napoli’s Romelu Lukaku (R) celebrates after scoring the 0-1 goal during the Italian Serie A soccer match between AC Milan and SSC Napoli, in Milan, Italy, October 29, 2024. EPA-EFE/DANIEL DAL ZENNARO

Belgium are without the injured Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne, Jeremy Doku, Malick Fofana and Joaquin Seys, while Thibaut Courtois refuses to take part while Domenico Tedesco is coach.

Lukaku returns for the first time since the Euros, having asked for time off to work on his fitness in Naples.

Maxim De Cuyper scored a great goal in the last meeting and has been linked with a potential move to Milan.

The Red Devils have not beaten Italy in a competitive match since the European Championship play-offs in May 1972, followed by two draws and four defeats.

Belgium vs Italy lineups

Belgium: Casteels; Castagne, Debast, Faes, Teate; Engels, Onana; Trossard, Openda, De Cuyper; Lukaku

Belgium bench: Vandevoort, Sels, Vermeeren, Lukebakio, Mbangula, Sardella, Mangala, Bakayoko, Al-Dakhil, Sambi Lokonga, Smets

Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Frattesi, Rovella, Tonali, Dimarco; Barella; Retegui

Italy bench: More; Vicario, Savona, Locatelli, Gatti, Maldini, Raspadori, Kean, Okoli, Comuzzo, Udogie, Pisilli

Ref: Petrescu (ROU)

Nations League Liveblog: Belgium v Italy

Belgium vs Italy lineups

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