Euro 2016 hosts its first marquee match-up, as high-flying Belgium meets the accomplished Italy in Group E at the Parc Olympique Lyonnais in Lyon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5am AEST on Tuesday morning.
The head-to-head is a mismatch between two nations that both have fine European pedigree – Belgian teams from the 70s and 80s are what has sent the country’s footballing benchmark, that which may change at this year’s Euros, such is the quality of the class of 2016.
This may well be the team that wins Belgium their first major title – and their status as the highest ranked European team will befit such an achievement.
Meanwhile, Italian football’s history is storied from the very first World Cup. Four World Cup triumphs tell one story, but a sole European title in 1968 is a meagre return for a country of Italy’s stature.
More is demanded from the Azzurri, and despite their previous dominance over Belgium, they enter the Parc Olympique Lyonnais as slight underdogs.
Belgium coach Marc Wilmots has a wealth of experience and superb talent at his disposal, but it is the absence of nominal captain Vincent Kompany that may raise questions should their campaign not fulfil its promise.
The Manchester City defender is Belgium’s organiser in chief, and without him, Wilmots will have to choose between Thomas Vermaelen or the younger Jason Denayer to partner Toby Alderweireld in central defence.
Up the field though is where Belgium’s advantage counts, with the strike options of Romelu Lukaku, Christian Benteke and Yannick Carrasco to choose from, with the supply lines offered by captain Eden Hazard and Kevin de Bruyne.
It’s difficult to anticipate who will start for Belgium, but the role of Axel Witsel and Moussa Dembele will be critical in ensuring Belgium’s defence is not exposed.
That is where Italy’s historical threat has always lied – on the counterattack, and Antonio Conte will set them up to be defensively resolute once again.
The back four is handpicked from the Juventus combo of Giorgio Chiellini, Andrea Barzagli and Leonardo Bonucci, who could be joined by Manchester United’s Matteo Darmian in defence.
But the role of Daniele de Rossi and Antonio Candreva will be critical in filling the sizeable hole left by Andrea Pirlo, while up top is where Italy’s potential weakness is.
Conte’s best option could be Graziano Pelle, whose football at Southampton this season has been inconsistent in both appearance and performance.
As traditional slow starters, a format where third place is not terminal could pave the way for one of Italy’s slow improvement as the tournament progresses.
It is the tournament’s first A-list match-up, expect a strong Belgium outing that underpins their championship credentials, but as always with Italy, nothing will come easy, and Italy may well catch their opponents on the counterattack, given Belgium’s propensity to attack. Expect goals, and maybe a fair lot of defensive errors.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5am AEST on Tuesday morning.
Michael
Guest
Such a great match
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Brilliant finishing from the Azzuri, they defended with their lives and the counter attacks were incisive.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Belgium 0-2 Italy Well the battle of the titans fell Italy's way, courtesy of some fine defending, and counterattacking and scoring when it matters most. This is exactly what Belgium did not do, and they have paid for it with a startling loss first up in Euro 2016. On paper, easier games await both sides, but in this format, a win all but ensures progression, while losses aren't terminal. Thanks for your company this morning. It's been a fine morning if you're wearing the blue of Italy. They took the lead via Emanuelle Giaccherini in the 32nd minute, and sealed off a deserved win courtesy of Graziano Pelle in the final minute of stoppage time. Belgium were listless at times, and only appeared to warm to the task in the second half. By then, their ship had sailed, and they will need to regroup before meeting the Republic of Ireland next Saturday night. I'll be back for the big clash between England and Wales on Thursday night at 11pm. Until then, from Lyon, it finished Belgium 0-2 Italy. A very good morning to all of you!
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Superb volley by Pelle.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: Three points Italy! Belgium overcommit too far forward, as they had to, leaving space and ample time for Candreva to run down the Belgium penalty area, and with the defence scrambled, he lobs it to Pelle, who hits well on the volley past Courtois, and that is full-time as well in Lyon! FULLTIME: Belgium 0-2 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+2: Italy playing it around, and now forward for Candreva, who crosses, and game over via Pelle! GOAL - ITALY (PELLE) Belgium 0-2 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Advantage for Italy, which Clattenburg brings back for a free kick. Now Vertonghen gets into a scuffle with the Italian manager Conte, and for that, he goes into the book. Italy now taking their time with restarts, as is their wont, and it's 90 seconds remaining. Belgium 0-1 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: Minutes remaining, and Mertens with a fine cross that cannot be met by any moving red shirt, and then another missed header from Origi means that it bounces in front of Fellaini, who cannot get the ball in control in time before Buffon asserts himself on his goalmouth. Danger times for Italy, but they hang on! Belgium will lament so many missed chances this second half. Three minutes added on for Italy to hang on. Three minutes for Belgium to find an equaliser. Belgium 0-1 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'87: Alderweireld pushes up and earns Belgium another corner. Can they make their obvious height advantage count. The corner has to be retaken, as Clattenburg warns several players to cease the pushing and shoving. Well, the replay has Chiellini wrapping his arms all over Fellaini - for me, that should be given as penalties every day. How Italy get away with that is beyond me. The actual corner is poor from Mertens, and the chance goes begging. They are superb in defence are Italy, but they definitely don't inspire the neutral with their antics. Belgium 0-1 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'87: Some poor touches from Origi since coming on - the missed goal, the injudicious choice to go for the bicycle kick, and now he miscues a pass for Mertens, and the ball rolls out for an Italian throw. Belgium 0-1 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'84: Another cynical yellow, this time Thiago Motta enters the book. You wonder if this may cost Italy in later stages. Cross into the box, and Origi went for spectacular with the bicycle kick, but couldn't connect. Then in a blink, Italy are away, and Ciro Immobile has three on two, but opts to shoot - it's a fantastic effort from 15 yards, but Thibaut Courtois keeps Belgium in this with a wonderful save to his left! Corner for Italy, and it's sloppy, but it's gathered by Courtois, as Belgium's defence is all over. It perfectly sums up the difference of these two teams. Belgium 0-1 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'82: Chance Belgium, and Origi heads over! Superb delivery of a cross by De Bruyne, and the young striker went for too much power, and it flew over Buffon's crossbar! Big chance missed for Belgium, not their first mind you, and Italy hang on! Belgium 0-1 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'81: Cleared away by Italy, and now another free kick earnt for Belgium for another foul. Played quickly, and another Belgium corner earnt by Mertens. Belgium 0-1 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'80: Volume is raised inside Lyon, as we enter the final 10 minutes. Both teams swapping possession in midfield - the difference really has been Italy's superb defensive organisation. Mertens has a shot deflected for a Belgium corner. Time running out for the Red Devils. Belgium 0-1 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'78: Cards flying in now, as Bonucci enters the book for bringing down Origi. Free kick from 30 yards out, while Italy make their final change, as Thiago Motta replaces Daniele De Rossi. SUBSTITUTION (ITALY) OFF: 16. De Rossi ON: 10. Thiago Motta Free kick is gathered easily by the rising Buffon. Belgium's attacking class of De Bruyne, Hazard and Lukaku just have not shown up today. Belgium 0-1 Italy
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Ah the Italian cynical fouls. Game steps up to another level.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'74: Italy win the header, but Witsel eventually sets Belgium on their way, and on the counter, it's only a cynical rugby tackle by Eder that halts Mertens from advancing further. Men were covering, hence why it was only a yellow card. Second change for Italy, as Ciro Immobile is on the field, while it's an attacking change for Belgium, their final one, as Yannick Carrasco replaces the fullback Laurent Ciman. SUBSTITUTION (BELGIUM) OFF: 23. Ciman ON: 11. Carrasco SUBSTITUTION (ITALY) OFF: 17. Eder ON: 11. Immobile Belgium 0-1 Italy
Stevo
Roar Rookie
Lukaku putting on a good impresonation of our very own Matty Simon. Huffing and puffing and stumbling and generally doing a good job of looking like an awkward giraffe.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'74: Shot by Giaccherini outside the box is deflected off the sliding Ciman, and it's an Italian corner. Belgium 0-1 Italy
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'71: Now Mertens brings down Candreva in full drive, as Italy claim the free kick. Like with England on Sunday, there is a slight twist yet to be told in this tale. Belgium have been presenting far more danger to the Italian defence in the second half, but that said, England's defence cannot be reasonably compared to this Italian back three. Now a poor touch from Lukaku in presentable areas denies Belgium again a chance to work Buffon. He's only had to deal with one shot on target, however much we wax lyrical about their hopes. Here is the change, with the Evertonian Romelu Lukaku being replaced by Divock Origi of Liverpool. SUBSTITUTION (BELGIUM) OFF: 9. Lukaku ON: 17. Origi Belgium 0-1 Italy