Match Information

Sport: Football

Match: Italy vs Belgium

Tournament: UEFA Nations League 2026/27 – League A, Group A1

Date: Friday, September 25, 2026

Kick-off: 8:45 PM CEST

Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy

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Italy host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday as two new managerial eras begin in a demanding Nations League Group A1. For the Azzurri, the new beginning comes with a familiar face. Roberto Mancini returns for a second spell as Italy coach, tasked with rebuilding after the disappointment of missing the 2026 World Cup. Belgium arrive from a very different summer. They reached the World Cup quarter-finals before losing to eventual champions Spain, but now begin their own reset under Mark van Bommel. With France and Turkey completing the group, there is little room for a slow start.

Form, Trends, Key Facts, Stats & Team News

Mancini's return comes at a delicate moment for Italian football. The Azzurri missed the World Cup after losing their play-off on penalties, and the immediate priority is restoring confidence and building a side capable of competing consistently at the highest level. Friday provides an interesting first test. Italy have an encouraging recent record against Belgium, having won four of the last five meetings, and the Stadio Olimpico gives Mancini a familiar stage on which to begin his second spell.

His first selection is not without problems, though. Alessandro Bastoni is suspended, removing one of Italy's most important defenders, while Federico Dimarco, Bryan Cristante and Manuel Locatelli are unavailable through injury. That leaves Mancini needing to make changes across several areas of the pitch. There is still plenty of quality available. Gianluigi Donnarumma captains the side, while Sandro Tonali and Nicolò Barella should carry much of the midfield responsibility.

Their ability to dictate the tempo could be crucial. Italy may not want this opener to become stretched, particularly with a reshaped defence. Controlling possession, protecting central areas and limiting Belgium's transition opportunities should therefore be high on Mancini's list. There is also an opportunity for younger players. Pio Esposito is among those expected to feature prominently in Mancini's plans as Italy begin looking towards a new cycle.

Belgium are undergoing their own transition. Mark van Bommel inherits a team that performed well at the World Cup, reaching the last eight, but his first squad is also missing several important players. Thibaut Courtois is being rested, while Leandro Trossard, Amadou Onana and Jérémy Doku are unavailable. Doku's absence is particularly significant because it removes one of Belgium's most dangerous one-on-one threats and could reduce their ability to stretch Italy's defence from wide areas.

The Red Devils still have proven match-winners. Kevin De Bruyne remains the creative reference point, Youri Tielemans offers control in midfield and Romelu Lukaku provides a physical focal point in attack. That De Bruyne-Lukaku connection is something Italy cannot afford to underestimate, particularly with Bastoni unavailable. Van Bommel's first major decision will be how aggressively Belgium approach the match. Pressing Italy high could expose an Azzurri side adapting to another tactical reset, but it would also create space for Tonali and Barella if the hosts escape the initial pressure.

A more conservative approach could turn the fixture into a midfield battle. And that may suit both teams. With new coaches, significant absences and a difficult group ahead, avoiding an opening-night defeat may initially matter more than forcing the victory.

Key Facts

• 🇮🇹 Roberto Mancini begins his second spell as Italy head coach.

• 🇧🇪 Mark van Bommel makes his competitive debut in charge of Belgium.

• 📊 Italy have won four of their last five meetings with Belgium.

• 🌍 Italy missed the 2026 World Cup after a play-off penalty defeat.

• 🏆 Belgium reached the World Cup quarter-finals, losing to eventual champions Spain.

• ❌ Alessandro Bastoni is suspended for the Azzurri.

• 🚑 Dimarco, Cristante and Locatelli are also unavailable for Italy.

• 🧤 Belgium are without Thibaut Courtois, who is being rested.

• ❌ Trossard, Onana and Doku are unavailable for the visitors.

• ⭐ Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku remain major threats for Belgium.

• ⚔️ France and Turkey complete a difficult Group A1, with the top two reaching the quarter-finals.

Pro Tip Before You Start

Both teams retain enough individual quality to decide the game, but the circumstances point towards a controlled opener. Two new coaching setups, important absences and the pressure of a difficult group could encourage a more cautious tactical approach, particularly early on.

Italy's recent H2H advantage and home support make them difficult to oppose, but Belgium's De Bruyne-Lukaku threat should keep the hosts from taking unnecessary risks.

👉 Expert Tip: Under 2.5 Goals (2.02)

Alternative Markets

• Draw (3.52)

• Italy Double Chance (1.38)

• First Half – Draw (2.18)

• Under 1.5 First-Half Goals (1.48)

Mancini returns looking to rebuild Italy. Van Bommel arrives with a new Belgium project.

Two new eras begin in Rome – and in a group this unforgiving, the first mistake could matter as much as the first goal.

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