Belgium and Italy faced each other on the fifth day of the group stage of League of Nations. The host team arrived with four points in four games and have an obligation to win if they want to advance to the next stage. With a success about Israel and a draw in front of Italy, the Domenico Tedesco They have to win to stay alive. For their part, the Azzurrileaders of League A group 2, must points to sign definitely your pass and win with the goal of passing first from the group to the quarterfinals.
After the draw in the first leg, parity seems to be important in meeting the needs for both teams. The Italian team began to have more possession, and through its three center-backs, was able to find the depth in his association with the sides. Bastoni and Dimarco, left wing players, were able to chain crosses without finding a finisher. In the 11th minute, Di Lorenzo received a filtered pass, stepped on the baseline and put it behind him to Sandro Tonali did the first one. After the goal and despite the increased height of the Belgian pressure lines, the Azura he continues to be comfortable.
It was difficult for Belgium to get there and when they did, their centre, timid and riskless, was caught by Donnarumma or cleaned by Buongiorno. As the minutes passed, the team led by Tedesco gained control, but despite increasing possession, they were unable to hurt the Italian team. In fact, the visitors came close to scoring a second. An assist from Barella to Rovella allowed the ball to reach Cambiaso and assisted for Tonali, Debast blocked the Newcastle midfielder’s shot. So, Italy took the lead after the first half with its trademark.
The ‘red devils’ were superior in the second half
After going through the locker room, Belgium were able to press high and recover quicklythus increasing their chances of reaching the rival area. These minutes are very angrywith Trossard leading the Belgian attack. The Arsenal footballer forced Donnarumma to stretch twice. When Belgium were at their best, Italy took advantage of the height of the center backs and Fratessi filtered the ball Retegui, who failed in the head-up. After the corner that was created in that game, Di Lorenzo had a very clear chance to make it 0-2, but his header from inside the six-yard box went over the top of the cause defended by Casteels.
The game, as it couldn’t be otherwise, slowed down as the minutes ticked by. Italy progressed towards a five-man defence, while Belgium limited themselves to placing crosses from three quarters against a rival with many players inside the area and left very little room for finishing. However, the team led by Tedesco has one of the best here.
After the lateral center, Lukaku found surprising space in the back Buongiorno and almost missed the target. A few minutes later he had it again for Lukaku, who sent a volley from the penalty spot over the crossbar. Immediately after, a hairstyle of Wout Faes He was outside the centimeters, completing the best minutes of the local team. However, after this occasion, the ‘red devils’ did not generate any more dangerous opportunities and The azzurra Tonali’s goal was good to win 0-1.
With France drawing against Israel, Italy is the favorite to top the group and play the second leg of the Nations League quarterfinals at home. However, it will be resolved in their meeting Sunday against the French team. In its part, Belgium could fall into direct relegationbut it’s better if tied against Israel to go to playout.
match lineup
1
21
5
3
2
4
8
6
9
10
11
1
20
3
21
4
22
16
8
9
18
14
King Baudouin Stadium
Gianluigi Donnarumma1
27′
85′
Andrea Cambiaso20
81′
78′
Federico Dimarco3
68′
71′
Alessandro Bastoni21
46′
Alessandro Buongiorno4
Giovanni DiLorenzo22
70′
Davide Frattesi16
66′
Sandro Tonali8
10′
Mateo Retegui9
68′
Nicolò Barella18
78′
Nicolò Rovella14
78′
Replacements
Alex Meret12
Guglielmo Vicario13
Nicolò Savona2
71′
76′
Federico Gatti6
81′
Caleb Okoli15
70′
Pietro Comuzzo17
Destiny Udogie19
68′
Manuel Locatelli5
78′
78′
Niccolò Pisilli23
Daniel Maldini7
85′
Giacomo Raspadori10
78′
Moses Kean11
68′
90′
coach
Domenico Tedesco
Luciano Spalletti
Source: La Verdad
I am Shawn Partain, a journalist and content creator working for the Today Times Live. I specialize in sports journalism, writing articles that cover major sporting events and news stories. With a passion for storytelling and an eye for detail, I strive to be accurate and insightful in my work.
