Probable Italy vs. Belgium line-ups and latest injury news

Probable Italy vs. Belgium line-ups and latest injury news Italy tested Moise Kean and Francesco Pio Esposito together for the Nations League clash, while Belgium are without injured Leandro Trossard, but could start Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne. It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST). This is the opening fixture of the Nations League for the Azzurri, who are in a group along with France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye. Italy training session overseen by coach Roberto Mancini in September 2026 (figc.it) Roberto Mancini is without suspended Alessandro Bastoni, who was sent off in the World Cup play-off against Bosnia and Herzegovina, plus Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante pulled out due to injury. Most of the starting XI seems to be agreed , with Giovanni Di Lorenzo preferred to Michael Kayode , while Diego Coppola will step in if Giorgio Scalvini is not 100 per cent fit. The only doubts are in attack, as Inter striker Pio Esposito will start, but his partners remain a mystery. Francesco Pio Esposito celebrates scoring for Italy against Luxembourg (@optapaolo) Nicolò Zaniolo and Nicolò Cambiaghi are doing battle for the right flank, while Kean is increasingly confident of getting the nod after today’s training session. Alternatives are Daniel Maldini and Giacomo Raspadori. Belgium are also making their debut under a new coach, former Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel. They have made the trip to Italy without Leandro Trossard and goalkeeper Mike Penders, the Besiktas winger dealing with a bruised heel, but they hope to be ready for some of the other games in this break for international duty. PORTO, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 07: Mark van Bommel, Head Coach of Royal Antwerp, looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League match between FC Porto and Royal Antwerp FC at Estadio do Dragao on November 07, 2023 in Porto, Portugal. (Photo by Octavio Passos/Getty Images) Thibaut Courtois, injured Andre Onana and Jeremy Doku are left out, while Thomas Meunier and Alexis Saelemaekers didn’t get call-ups. There are quite a few Serie A players in the squad list, including Milan’s Diego Moreira and Koni De Winter, Bologna defender Arthur Theate, Parma midfielder Mandela Keita, Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere and of course Napoli star De Bruyne. Lois Openda is on loan at Lyon from Juventus, with Romelu Lukaku only recently leaving Napoli for Fenerbahce. SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 06: Charles De Ketelaere #17 of Belgium applauds fans after the 4-1 victory during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between USA and Belgium at Seattle Stadium on July 06, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images) Van Bommel hasn’t worked as a coach for two years, so his approach may well be a bit of a mystery, but it’s rumoured his 4-2-3-1 should be mutated into a 4-3-3 after training ground exercises. De Ketelaere was used as a False 9 at the World Cup and could be there again, considering Lukaku’s fitness levels. Moreira can play on the right, but has always been on the left so far for Belgium, so faces strong competition from Paris Saint-Germain’s €45m signing Mika Godts. Italy vs. Belgium probable line-ups Italy (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Coppola, Calafiori; Barella, Romano,Tonali; Zaniolo (Cambiaghi), P Esposito, Kean Belgium (4-3-3): Lammens; Seys, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper; Tielemans, De Bruyne, Lavia; Lukebakio, Lukaku, Godts