Football Italia reports that Italy and Belgium will both be short-handed for Friday’s Nations League opener at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. Italy are said to be without suspended Alessandro Bastoni, while Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante have pulled out injured.
The same report says Belgium travel without Leandro Trossard and goalkeeper Mike Penders, with Thibaut Courtois, Andre Onana and Jeremy Doku also left out. Almost Signed analysis: those absences leave both teams changing their preferred balance before the first group game, with Italy’s attack and Belgium’s wide options among the areas most affected.
Football Italia adds that Italy tested Moise Kean and Francesco Pio Esposito together in training, with Kean increasingly likely to start and Pio Esposito expected to lead the line. Belgium are also preparing under new coach Mark van Bommel, with their exact front line still open despite the reported injury list.
What remains unconfirmed
- The final starting line-ups remain unconfirmed.
- Whether Kean starts is still reported as likely rather than official.