Belgium vs Italy - preview

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- Latest events

BELGIUM

·         The golden generation of Belgium football faces another big challenge where they are expected to try and emulate the feats of greats like Sfico and Pffaf.   

·         Injuries have taken its toll in Wilmots’ defense, that will attack the competition without his favorite duo in the center of defense, as both Kompany and Lombaerts are out of action due to injury.   

·         Preparation wasn’t superb, with the defensive troubles threatening to destroy all the good work done up front and the Belgian know that they need to fix that if the hope to extend their presence in France    

ITALY

·         It’s the least star-studded Italy in recent memory. Looking at the squad Conte brought to France, it was hard to find an individual highlight, in comparison to some to the greats of Italian football.  

·         Conte knows this is his last chance to leave some impact in the national team, before moving to Chelsea, and he will make everything in his power to shock the World.    

·         Lacking fire power upfront, expect an Italy that will know how to frustrate their opponents in order to get the result they want.    

- Expected Lineups

 

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- Areas to follow

BELGIUM

·         Defense

It’s the great source of problems and doubts for Wilmots. Without his leader, Vincent Kompany, Belgium loses not only a great central defender, but the voice of command, its extension of the manager on the pitch. Alderweireld is likely to swap with Denayer, and come to the center where he excelled at Tottenham.  

·         Midfield

Witsel and Fellaini will probably be the two holding midfielders, responsible to avoid the Italian counters and also carrying the ball forward, as the first stage of attack for Wilmots’ team. With Hazard and Mertens as its wingers, and De Bruyne thinking the game, Belgium has one of the strongest midfield areas from the competition.

·         Attack

Lukaku will be the sole striker, but that doesn’t mean that the Everton striker will not see the ball, as normally he’s the first solution for a long ball, using his power to hold it, awaiting his teammates runs. Needs to regain the form of the beginning of the season, as there are other strikers raring to have a chance.  

             

ITALY

·            Defense

It’s the strongest point for Italy and it will be very helpful if Italy doesn’t want to go out without any headline. Playing all together at Juventus, and with Conte knowing them from his time at Turin, they will have to be at their best to hold the Belgian offensive

·             Midfield

  A line of five without a lot of openings for Conte to fill how he feels best. De Rossi and Darmian seem fairly certain, like Florenzi, but things might change. What is certain is that is not a very creative midfielder, missing someone like Verrati (injured) or Pirlo (left out by choice). It will be a very fighting midfielding outlet, more than elegant.  

·             Attack

Pelle and Eder will be the man in charge of finishing the few chances their team is going to create. Two different players in how they play, they complement each other, as Pelle is an expert in laying the ball to a quick partner, as he done time and time again for Southampton with Shane Long by his side. Éder is Brazilian with Italian passport, so he can only be a better addition to Pelle’s game.

- FIL’S VERDICT

 Not only they were drawn in the group of death, when they face their lowest in quality in the national team, Italy has to start the campaign against the opposite side of the coin. A team that’s young, full of talent, eager to show they can go all the way.

 Conte will have to recreate what he did at Juventus, making the giants great again, and the mission with Italy is going to be even more herculean. To his favor, the players know the tactic, and other teams have difficulty facing it, and Lukaku might be swallowed by the back three.

 Belgium has the perfect opportunity to show Europe that they are ready to be a force, by dismantling Italy. That’s not likely to happen, especially due to their defensive problems, but it’s expected that the Red Devils  start strong and end up winning, against an Italy that will have to overcome themselves if they want to achieve something in France.

FIL’S PREDICTION

BELGIUM 2-1 ITALY