After falling at the semi-final stage of the UEFA Nations League, hosts Italy reconvene with Belgium on Sunday, three months after their scintillating contest at Euro 2020.
Having let a two-goal lead slip to crash out against old foes France, the Belgians will contest third place in international football's newest tournament against the faltering European champions.
Match preview
Since their penalty shootout glory at Wembley in the summer, something of a hangover has befallen Italy in their subsequent matches; the latest of which was Wednesday's disappointing defeat to Spain in the Nations League semi-finals.
The Azzurri's cherished 37-game unbeaten run came to a definitive end at San Siro, as they crashed out to a side which particularly troubled them at the same stage of the Euros, before they squeezed through in a spot kick showdown.
Captain for the night in Milan, as the teams met again, defensive stalwart Leonardo Bonucci was sent off in the first half for two bookable offences - the second for an elbow on Sergio Busquets.
As Ferran Torres netted a double either side of Bonucci's dismissal - on a ground where he struggled during his single season at AC Milan - the Italians were ultimately consigned to a playoff for third.
Also following two underwhelming World Cup qualifying draws and a regulation win against Lithuania - still leaving Roberto Mancini's side in pole position to qualify automatically for Qatar 2022 - La Nazionale now travel to Turin, where they reprise one of their most memorable match-ups of recent years.
They must now react to a first defeat since losing to Portugal in the inaugural Nations League over three years ago - and also the first time Italy have lost a competitive game on home soil since 1999 - in an encounter with Belgium, who they edged out 2-1 in their Euro 2020 quarter-final back in July.
Though the chance to immediately add further silverware to their long-awaited European Championship trophy has now passed, a clash with one of their chief rivals for the global crown next year remains an intriguing prospect.
While Italy were outsiders from the moment their captain saw red in midweek, by contrast, Belgium seemed to be cruising into the Nations League final before a dramatic comeback from reigning world champions France.
Les Bleus full-back Theo Hernandez rifled home a spectacular 90th-minute winner, as the Red Devils let a two-goal advantage slip during a whirlwind display from the French during the second half.
A first senior international trophy seemed to be coming one step closer when Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku gave them a 2-0 lead with some clinical finishing, but Belgium were once again forced to settle for a shot at the bronze medal.
They have been ranked the world's number one side for more than three years now, but remain the only nation to top the rankings without claiming a major championship, with time fast running out for the vaunted 'golden generation'.
Roberto Martinez's men entered this month having claimed three wins from three in World Cup qualifying in September - netting nine times and conceding just two in the process - so seem to have responded well to their previous disappointment.
Whether they can now get over the "mental wall" which Martinez believes obstructs them in the aftermath of Thursday's gut-wrenching defeat - only the third from their last 32 games - still remains to be seen.
- W
- D
- D
- W
- W
- L
- W
- W
- D
- D
- W
- L
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
- W
- L
- W
- W
- W
- L
Team News
The hosts will be without the lynchpin of their defence, Ballon d'Or nominated Leonardo Bonucci, after his dismissal against Spain, so Roberto Mancini may bring in his Juventus colleague Giorgio Chiellini on Sunday afternoon.
As Ciro Immobile was previously ruled out of the squad through injury, and Juve striker Moise Kean picked up a knock on Wednesday, the diminutive Giacomo Raspadori should start rather than Mancini's experiment with a 'false nine', Federico Bernardeschi, being continued.
Raspadori came off the bench twice last month and made his full Azzurri debut against Lithuania, scoring once and forcing an own goal, so is now likely to get his chance in this high-profile encounter.
Belgium, meanwhile, could rotate their XI more substantially, as they played 24 hours after their Italian counterparts and suffered a morale-sapping second-half collapse.
Star striker Romelu Lukaku will definitely be missing, as muscular fatigue has caused the Chelsea man to withdraw and return to London, denying him a reunion with some of his former Inter colleagues. Therefore, Michy Batshuayi should start up front.
Reliable veterans of squads past, including Thomas Meunier, Thorgan Hazard, Dries Mertens and Christian Benteke were not included by Roberto Martinez for these Nations League finals, so the next generation such as Italy-based duo Alexis Saelemaekers and Arthur Theate may be given an opportunity to shine.
Another elder member of the Red Devils, Eden Hazard, is a doubt after appearing to suffer yet another injury during the defeat to France. The Real Madrid playmaker was withdrawn shortly before the final whistle and will be assessed ahead of Sunday's game, as Leandro Trossard stands ready to replace him.
Italy possible starting lineup:
Donnarumma; Calabria, Chiellini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Barella, Locatelli, Pellegrini; Chiesa, Raspadori, Berardi
Belgium possible starting lineup:
Mignolet; Alderweireld, Boyata, Vertonghen; Saelemaekers, Vanaken, Witsel, Carrasco; Lukebakio, Batshuayi, Trossard
We say: Italy 1-0 Belgium
On Sunday, neither nation will be motivated beyond salvaging some pride, as they nurse hangovers from their respective midweek semi-final failures.
For that reason, both sides will feature changes, and Italy's greater squad depth can help them edge out Belgium for a second time in a matter of months.
body check tags ::
