Sports Mole previews Monday's Nations League clash between Italy and Israel, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.
After a moment of madness they finally found themselves settling on a point, Italy To extend their rule over League A Group 2 Monday evening, when they conduct UEFA Nations League Enemies Israel to Uddin.
The Azzurri cruised to victory against Belgium in Rome before starting with 10 men, while their rock-bottom visitors were well beaten by France.
Competition preview
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Italy, who conceded their first goal of the new Nations League campaign within 13 seconds against France last month, scored within a minute of the first whistle this time. They drew 2-2 with Belgium on Thursday night.
Luciano SpallettiWin's side combined to set up 18 consecutive passes Andrea CambiasoThe opener at the Stadio Olimpico Mateo Retegui Converting from close range midway through the first half put them in control.
However, VAR then intervened to recommend a straight red card Lorenzo PellegriniAnd at home the Roma captain's careless dismissal cost his side dearly: Belgium scored from the resulting free kick and then equalized.
Italy's mood is buoyant, however, and picking up another point has kept them up Top in Group 2And they now look to make it three wins from four in this season's Nations League.
Having turned the page after a poor defense of their European Championship title, the Azzurri made a fine start to September, beating France in Paris before taking care of business against Israel.
Now, ahead of November's final – when La Nacional will hope to finish in the top-two and qualify for a new quarter-final – they will look to repeat their recent 2-1 win over their opponents on Monday.
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Due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, Israel have stayed in Hungary for their 'home' matches this year, and all three matches there so far have ended in defeat.
First, they faced Belgium on neutral soil for safety reasons, losing 3-1 before being beaten by Italy and suffering a third straight setback. In the hands of France Last time.
The Sky-Blue and Whites were beaten 4-1 at the Bosick Arena. Edward Kamawinga And Omri Kandelman Pre-trade targets Christopher Nungu Put Les Blues back in front; Matteo Guendouzi And Bradley Barcola Later two more were added.
Having risen from League C to the top tier of the Nations League over the past few years, Israel's stay among Europe's elite looks set to be short-lived: four points behind third-placed Belgium will be automatically relegated halfway through.
Without a point in group 2, Run Ben ShimonHaving won just two of their last 10 matches against Andorra and Belarus, the team will certainly travel to northern Italy with more confidence than expected.
Italy Nations League Format:
Italy Form (All Matches):
Israel Nations League Format:
Israel Form (All Matches):
Group messages
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Italy coach Luciano Spalletti will have to make at least one change to the winning team due to Lorenzo Pellegrini's suspension.
The latter's former Roma teammate, Atlanta BC Niccolo ZanioloCalled up as cover, but has struggled for fitness this season and is more likely to start on the bench.
Fellow forward Federico Chiesa Zaniolo's club colleagues are absent for similar reasons Gianluca Scamacca And Giorgio Scalvini Along with the key midfielder is on the long-term absentee list Nicolo Barella And the Fiorentina striker Moise Kean.
So Spalletti can be awarded the first cap Daniel Maltini – Now following in the footsteps of Azuri Puranas Paolo Maldini And Cesar Maldini – But Giacomo Raspatori Favorite to join Mateo Retegui up front.
Meanwhile, the Israeli captain is missing Eli Dasa And the young forward Tor TurkemanPlus Leeds United winger Manor SolomonThe latter of these was sidelined with a hamstring problem.
Since Solomon was not available, Oscar Glock And Omri Gandelman could support the visitors' lone striker, the Philadelphia Union star and Baribou.
Italy Probable Starting Lineup:
Donorumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori; Cambiaso, Fagioli, Ricci, Tonali, Dimarco; Raspatori, Redegui
Israel's probable starting line-up:
Glazer; Feingold, Nachimas, Shlomo; Abada, Abu Fani, Kanichowski, Leitner; Gloukh, Gandelman; They are
We say: Italy 2-1 Israel
Although their winning streak ended on Thursday, Italy seem to have rediscovered their rhythm after the Euros, so they should be very good for limited opponents in Udine.
Israel have scored in every game so far, however, despite suffering a fourth straight defeat in Group 2, they still managed to find the net.
Please click here for data analysis of most probable results, scores and more for this match.
