In the League of Nations, Belgium welcome leaders Italy on matchday 5. Domenico Tedesco’s side are in desperate need of a win, five points behind second place. So you can watch the game live on TV and stream.
The UEFA Nations League is heading into the home stretch! On Thursday, November 14, there will be a duel between Belgium and Italy in Group A2 in Brussels on match day 5 (from 8:45 pm in the live ticker).
Coach Domenico Tedesco’s side have their backs against the wall two days before the end of the group stage. After the 1-2 defeat against France, the Belgians probably only have a theoretical chance of reaching the quarter-finals directly with two games remaining against Italy and Israel and five points to spare. Third-placed Belgium are now threatened with regulation against second-placed Serie B.
The Italians led the table in Group 2 of Serie A with ten points ahead of France (9). Belgium is in third place with four points.
Here’s how you can watch the League of Nations with Belgium – Italy live today:
Ticker: SPORT1.de and in the SPORT1 app
Belgium - Italy: The lineups
Belgium: Castles – Castagne, Debast, Faes, Téata – Engels, Onana - Trossard, Openda, De Cuyper – Lukaku
Italy: Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni – Cambiaso, Frattesi, Rovella, Tonali, Dimarco – Barella – Retegui
League of Nations: Belgium draw in Italy
In the first leg on 10 October, Tedesco’s side turned a 0-2 deficit into a 2-2 draw. The “Red Devils” were in the majority for a long time after receiving a red card against Lorenzo Pellegrini (38th) from Italy.
Andrea Cambiaso (1st) and Mateo Retegui (24th) put the Squadra Azzurra first in front. At the beginning, Italy played the guests against the wall at times, until Pellegrini was too hard to fight Arthur Theate Frankfurt. Maxim De Cuyper (42nd) and Leandro Trossard (61st) finally secured the deserved point for the guests.
The Squadra Azzurra are still unbeaten and have won three of their four games so far. On the 4th game, the Italians won comfortably 4-1 against Israel, at the bottom of the table.
What are Belgium’s chances of advancing to the quarter-finals in the UEFA Nations League?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Football Expert
Time.news Editor: Welcome, readers! Today, we have the pleasure of sitting down with renowned football analyst and former professional player, Alex Thompson, to discuss the upcoming UEFA Nations League clash between Belgium and Italy. Alex, thanks for joining us!
Alex Thompson: Thank you for having me! This match is set to be quite the spectacle.
Editor: Absolutely! We’ve got Belgium facing off against Italy on November 14th in Brussels. What are your thoughts on Belgium’s current situation—their need for a win to stay in contention?
Alex: Belgium finds itself in a challenging position. After their recent 1-2 defeat to France, they’ve put themselves in a corner. Being five points behind the second-placed team and third in the group really shows the pressure they’re under. They essentially need to win their remaining games against Italy and Israel to have any shot at the quarter-finals. It feels like a must-win situation for them.
Editor: That’s right. With the group stage nearing its end, the stakes are incredibly high. What do you think coach Domenico Tedesco needs to focus on to turn things around for Belgium?
Alex: Tedesco has a task ahead of him. He needs to boost the team’s confidence and address defensive vulnerabilities that have plagued them. The midfield connection will also be crucial—if they can control the game and create chances, they’ll stand a better chance. It’s all about finding that balance and getting the best out of key players like Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku.
Editor: Speaking of Italy, they’re currently leading the group and have ten points. How do you see them approaching this match?
Alex: Italy comes into this match with a completely different mindset. Being at the top and having a solid performance so far allows them to play with confidence. They’ll likely aim to control possession and impose their style of play. If they can frustrate Belgium early on, they could dictate the pace of the game. They must be wary of Belgium’s attacking threats, though; a swift counter-attack could be their downfall.
Editor: With both teams having strong motivations, how do you see the dynamics of this match unfolding?
Alex: It should be an intriguing tactical battle. Belgium might start aggressively, knowing they need quick goals, while Italy could opt for a more measured approach, looking to absorb pressure and hit on the break. If Belgium can keep their composure and capitalize on their chances, it could go in their favor. However, if Italy can withstand that initial wave and exploit any defensive lapses, we could see them come away with a victory.
Editor: Great insights, Alex! Before we wrap up, any predictions for viewers eager to watch the match?
Alex: Predictions are always tricky, but with the pressure Belgium is under and Italy’s current form, I wouldn’t be surprised if it ends in a draw. However, if Belgium can channel their urgency into their performance, they might just clinch a crucial win. Either way, fans are in for a treat!
Editor: Thank you, Alex! We appreciate your expertise as we gear up for what promises to be a thrilling encounter between Belgium and Italy. Don’t forget to catch the live ticker on SPORT1.de and the SPORT1 app!
Alex: My pleasure! Enjoy the match, everyone!
Editor: Until next time, this has been an insightful discussion on the UEFA Nations League. Stay tuned for more football coverage!