Reigning UEFA Euro 2020 champions Italy take on Belgium in the bronze final of the UEFA Nations League 2020-21 at Juventus Stadium in Italy on Sunday, October 10. The match will kick off at 6:30 PM IST.
Roberto Mancini’s team had their record 37-match unbeaten run in international football ended by Spain, who exacted revenge for their Euro 2020 semi-final penalty shootout defeat to the Azzurri.
In the other semi-final, Belgium blew a two-goal advantage in the first half to lose to world champions France 2-3. During the second half, the top-ranked Red Devils fell to Didier Deschamps' Les Blues, and their performance opened the door for discussions regarding the end of Belgium's 'Golden Generation'.
The head-to-head between the teams favours Italy, who won the fixture 15 times besides registering four draws and suffering four losses.
Regarding the team news ahead of Sunday’s clash, Roberto Mancini will have to make do without Leonardo Bonucci, who was sent off against Spain. Furthermore, the Euro 2020 champions will miss the services of striker Ciro Immobile, who is recuperating from a thigh injury, meaning the likes of Moise Kean and Giacomo Raspadori will compete to earn a starting spot in the centre-forward position against Belgium.
Eden Hazard is expected to be a major absentee for the Red Devils after he limped off in the final 15 minutes of the defeat to France with an undisclosed injury. This is the latest injury setback for the Real Madrid forward since departing from Chelsea in 2019.
Italy squad for UEFA Nations League bronze final
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alex Meret, Salvatore Sirigu
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Emerson Palmieri, Rafael Toloi
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella, Bryan Cristante, Jorginho, Manuel Locatelli, Lorenzo Pellegrini , Matteo Pessina, Marco Verratti
Forwards: Domenico Berardi, Federico Bernardeschi, Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Giacomo Raspadori
Belgium squad for UEFA Nations League bronze final
Goalkeepers: Koen Casteels, Thibaut Courtois, Simon Mignolet
Defenders: Toby Alderweireld, Dedryck Boyata, Timothy Castagne, Jason Denayer, Thomas Meunier, Jan Vertonghen
Midfielders: Kevin De Bruyne, Leander Dendoncker, Thorgan Hazard, Alexis Saelemaekers, Youri Tielemans, Hans Vanaken, Axel Witsel
Forwards: Michy Batshuayi, Yannick Carrasco, Charles De Ketelaere, Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, Dodi Lukebakio, Leandro Trossard
Where to watch Italy vs Belgium UEFA Nations League 2020-21 bronze final match live in India?
Italy vs Belgium UEFA Nations League 2020-21 bronze final match will be telecast live from 6:30 PM IST on Sony Sports Network TV channels in India, on Sunday, October 10.
Live streaming of the Italy vs Belgium UEFA Nations League 2020-21 match will be available on SonyLIV and JioTV.
Featured photo: AFP / Christof Stache
