Belgium and Italy face off for a place in the Nations League quarter-finals. Roberto Mancini has several selection doubts after losing two key starters from the win over France and will make several changes.
Roberto Mancini, Italy's head coach, affirmed that competing for qualification to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Nations League represents a great source of pride, ahead of the decisive clash against Belgium, scheduled to take place on Sunday evening in the capital, Brussels.
Italy play for a place in the finals of the 2026/2027 Nations League away to Belgium, with two of the three possible results enough to see them through. Roberto Mancini spoke at a press conference of his pride in having this chance.
The election for the presidency of the Italian Football Federation is heading towards a contest between two prominent figures on the sporting scene, but the calculations of votes and support within the system may hold surprises that the names alone do not reflect, amid a decline in the backing that one of the candidates enjoyed just a few months ago.
Mark van Bommel, the head coach of Belgium, confirmed that Italy's 3-1 win over France last Thursday was not a surprise to him, pointing to the possibility that the French national team underestimated the abilities of coach Roberto Mancini's side, which contributed to its defeat.
“It’s a different Italy from the opening match. They’re more stable. They’ve improved a lot in a short time. You don’t beat France just like that.” Speaking at a press conference in Brussels, Belgium head coach Mark Van Bommel previewed tomorrow evening’s Nations League match against Italy.
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