Italy welcomes Belgium to the Stadio Olimpico Friday for the Nations League A1 opener, launching the first competitive matches for Roberto Mancini and Mark van Bommel. Meanwhile France and Turkiye start their own Group A1 games. Can Italy bounce back on home soil?
Italy come into this match rebuilding, having missed a third consecutive World Cup after a penalty loss to Bosnia-Herzegovina. The setback dismissed Gennaro Gattuso, and after a short interim and Andrea Pirlo declining the job, the federation reinstated Mancini, who returns to the Azzurri bench three years after his Saudi stint.
Belgium step onto the field under fresh leadership, even though Rudi Garcia‘s squad reached the World Cup quarter‑finals before bowing to eventual champions Spain.
Mark van Bommel inherits a team anchored by Kevin De Bruyne and record scorer Romelu Lukaku, yet the Red Devils miss Thibaut Courtois, who has opted out of the Nations League, and veteran Axel Witsel, now retired.
Italy’s lineup confirmed
Mancini’s first squad back omits suspended Alessandro Bastoni, while injuries keep Federico Dimarco, Bryan Cristante and Manuel Locatelli out. Mateo Retegui also missed selection, leaving Moise Kean to spearhead the attack. For my money, Italy’s striking options feel limited without Bastoni.
Italy’s starting XI: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Coppola, Calafiori; Tonali, Romano, Barella; Cambiaghi, F.P. Esposito, Kean.
Belgium’s lineup confirmed. Will the new Belgium side surprise the hosts?
Van Bommel also lacks Thibaut Courtois and retired defender Axel Witsel. Amadou Onana stays sidelined after a World Cup‑era injury, while Leandro Trossard and Jeremy Doku were omitted.
Belgium’s starting XI: Lammens; Castagne, Mechele, Ngoy, De Cuyper; Raskin, Tielemans, De Bruyne; Godts, Moreira, De Ketelaere.