Belgium vs Italy Quarter-Finals Preview

The Belgian Red Devils take on Roberto Mancini’s Italy in one of the most highly anticipated knockout clashes of Euro 2020. Both teams have been two of the most impressive sides of the tournament so far, winning all four games while just conceding one goal each.

Tactical Preview

Belgium will line up with their usual 3-4-3 formation while Italy will play with a 4-3-3 system. With both defences keeping things relatively tight so far in the tournament, this fixture isn’t expected to be a goal-fest compared to some of the matches from the Round of 16.

Belgium’s back five should be well suited to deal with Italy’s attacking players but Roberto Martinez’s side must be wary of Leonardo Spinazzola’s adventurous runs from left-back and crosses to the far post, which created the Azzurri’s opening goal against Austria. However, with Spinazzola marauding forward, there is plenty of space behind the left-back that Belgium can exploit, with Romelu Lukaku drifting out to the right to receive the ball.

Player to watch out for

In the absence of Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku’s importance to this Belgium size increases tremendously and the onus will be on the Inter Milan striker to be the main man. Lukaku has been outstanding for both club and country over the past year – bagging 35 goals and assists in the Serie A last season – and is reaching the peak of his powers. However, the quarter-finals will be Lukaku’s toughest test of the summer so far against an Italian defence that will have plenty of experience of playing against the Belgian in the Serie A.

For Italy, left-back Leonardo Spinazzola has been one of the most impressive players of the tournament with his dizzying runs down the left flank. With Insigne cutting in from the left wing, Spinazzola is given license to attack down the by-line and has dribbled past the most players in the tournament so far amongst defenders.

Team News

Belgium

Unfortunately for Belgium and Roberto Martinez, they will be without two of their most important players – Kevin de Bruyne and Eden Hazard – for this crucial encounter. Both De Bruyne (ankle) and Hazard (hamstring) limped off in Belgium’s previous match versus Portugal and will be replaced by Yannick Carrasco and Dries Mertens in their front three. 

Probable XI: Thibaut Courtois, Toby Alderweireld, Thomas Vermaelen, Jan Vertonghen, Thomas Meunier, Thorgan Hazard, Axel Witsel, Youri Tielemans, Yannick Carrasco, Romelu Lukaku, Dries Mertens

Italy

Unlike Belgium, Italy don’t have any injury concerns but Roberto Mancini might make few changes to his Italian line-up following their lacklustre display against Austria in normal time. Federico Chiesa changed the game off the bench for Italy with a wonderful goal to break the deadlock and could replace Domenico Berardi in the starting XI.

Probable XI: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Giovani Di Lorenzo, Francesco Acerbi, Leonardo Bonucci, Leonardo Spinazzola, Jorginho, Marco Verratti, Nicolo Barella, Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne