Italy v Belgium: New coaches to bring an element of chaos

Italy v Belgium
Friday 25 September, 19:45
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Amidst their crisis, Italy turn to an old flame

Returning Italy boss Roberto Mancini admits leaving the Italy job in 2023 for a lucrative gig at the helm of Saudi Arabia is seen as an act of betrayal by many fans of the Azzurri, and he can't rely on credit from winning Euro 2020. The truth is that Mancini was far from being the federation's first choice, but Pep Guardiola stepped away from the recruitment process after initial enthusiasm, and Andrea Pirlo's links with a Russian betting company cost him a shot at the job.

Mancini takes charge of an Italian team in crisis. They have failed to reach the last three World Cups, and under Luciano Spalletti they underwhelmed at Euro 2024. He has made some interesting additions to the squad like Brentford's rampaging full-back Michael Kayode, but admits it'll take time to get the team playing how he truly wants it to play.

Italy will be without the suspended Alessandro Bastoni, who was sent off against Bosnia-Herzegovina in the World Cup playoff.

Belgium appoint a Dutchman after creditable World Cup

Reaching the quarter-finals of the World Cup was probably as good as it was going to get for a Belgium side long past the peak of the so-called "golden generation", but veteran coach Rudi Garcia still departed after the tournament. The Belgian FA have gone from a Spaniard (Roberto Martinez) to a German (Domenico Tedesco) to a Frenchman in Garcia, and now they are hiring former Dutch international Mark van Bommel.

After a dreadful spell at Wolfsburg, van Bommel rebuilt his coaching career by winning the double at Antwerp, and he is back after a two-year sabbatical.

Thibault Courtois made himself unavailable for these internationals, while Manchester City winger Jeremy Doku is struggling with a calf injury. Former Arsenal star Leandro Trossard is out with a heel injury.

Goals a part of 5/23.50 Bet Builder

Belgium scored and conceded in five of their six World Cup matches, and with two new coaches at the helm here, I can see a bit of chaos creeping into this match. By his own admission, Mancini hasn't had time to organise Italy properly, so there'll be a few defensive gaps for Belgium to exploit.

I'll start a 5/23.50 Bet Builder by backing both teams to score given Belgium's chaotic World Cup results. I'll back the ever-aggressive Roma centre-back Gianluca Mancini to commit two fouls (he has committed at least one foul in all of his five games for Roma, and will probably be up against the force of nature that is Romelu Lukaku), and I'll back rising Inter star Pio Esposito to have a shot on target, something he has done in all four of his starts at club level this season.

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