Italy Clash with Belgium in Nations League Showdown: Key Predictions, Tactics, and Expected Lineups Revealed

Italy has turned to a familiar face following yet another World Cup absence, with Roberto Mancini — the architect of the Azzurri's Euro 2020 triumph — returning for the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League.

Italy's campaign opens against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, having finished third twice in the competition's brief history.

While the Azzurri went back to the manager who oversaw their most successful stretch since the 2006 World Cup, Belgium has chosen a fresh direction. Rudi Garcia's side surpassed all expectations at this summer's World Cup, advancing to the quarterfinals before a respectable exit at the hands of eventual champions Spain.

Garcia made the somewhat unexpected decision to step down following the tournament, and rather than rehiring the newly available Roberto Martínez, the Royal Belgian FA chose to bring in former Netherlands midfielder Mark van Bommel.

Unlike Mancini, this marks Van Bommel's debut in international management, having previously taken charge of PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, and Royal Antwerp with mixed results.

Friday's clash kicks off a hectic stretch for both nations, with three additional fixtures ahead for each side. France and Türkiye round out Nations League Group A1.

Italy vs. Belgium Score Prediction

Mancini's Return Begins With Win

The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) found itself in considerable disarray over the summer, forced into a complete change of course after Paolo Maldini departed his role as technical director just weeks into the job.

Maldini had pursued both Carlo Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola before ultimately settling on Andrea Pirlo. However, the former midfielder's connections to a Russian betting firm led him to withdraw from consideration, prompting Maldini to resign shortly after.

Italy consequently turned back to Mancini. The polished 61-year-old has been absolved for his stint in the Middle East, and has already demonstrated once before that he can breathe new life into the Italian national side.

Prediction: Italy 2–1 Belgium

Italy Predicted Lineup vs. Belgium

Italy will be without the suspended Alessandro Bastoni, who received a red card in the World Cup playoff defeat to Bosnia & Herzegovina — a result that saw the Azzurri miss out on the tournament for a third consecutive time.

Giorgio Scalvini is expected to be fit despite sitting out Tuesday's training session, though Diego Coppola is set to partner Gianluca Mancini in Bastoni's place.

Brentford's Michael Kayode is pushing to displace Napoli captain Giovanni Di Lorenzo at right back, while the in-form Davide Frattesi is also pressing for a midfield berth. Mancini looks set to hand 20-year-old Alessandro Romano his senior debut on Friday, alongside Nicolò Barella and Sandro Tonali in the center of the park.

Daniel Maldini, son of Paolo, could feature on the left despite a recent car accident, while Francesco Pio Esposito is competing with Moise Kean for the starting spot up front. Nicolò Zaniolo's sluggish start to the season may open the door for Bologna's Nicolò Cambiaghi to complete Italy's attacking line.

Italy predicted lineup vs. Belgium (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Coppola, Calafiori; Romano, Barella, Tonali; Cambiaghi, Esposito, Maldini.

Belgium Predicted Lineup vs. Italy

Van Bommel has named a 28-man squad, though Belgium will be missing key figures at both ends of the field. Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has withdrawn from selection for the Red Devils' upcoming fixtures, and Jérémy Doku has been hampered by a calf problem at the start of the new campaign.

Fortunately, Belgium has solid depth to call upon. Manchester United's Senne Lammens is expected to start between the posts, while Paris Saint-Germain winger Mika Godts will operate down the left flank.

Alexis Saelemaekers and Thomas Meunier were not included in the squad, and Axel Witsel brought his international career to a close after the World Cup. Romelu Lukaku has been called up, though Van Bommel is expected to manage his workload carefully as he looks to implement a 4-3-3 system from the outset of his tenure.

Belgium predicted lineup vs. Italy (4-3-3): Lammens; Castagne, De Winter, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Lavia, De Bruyne, Lukebakio, De Ketelaere, Godts.

What Time Does Italy vs. Belgium Kick Off?

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