As Belgium prepare to welcome Italy for a friendly match-up this Friday, the stage appears to have been set for what should be an entertaining match. One one side will be a rapidly growing footballing power, who despite not having won any international silverware have vaulted up the FIFA rankings from 71st in 2007 to first as of this November. As a result, they are viewed by some as serious favorites to clinch the coveted EURO crown next summer.
On the other will be a highly experienced team that have four World Cups to their name, but have seen their stock on the international stage fade as of late following two group stage exits at the last two World Cups. However, after a successful run to the EURO 2012 finals, they will be not only seeking their first EURO title in nearly 50 years but also, having slipped out of the top ten, will be keen on re-establishing themselves as a footballing heavyweight.
Belgium
With stars like Chelsea duo Thibaut Courtois and Eden Hazard, Manchester City pair Vincent Kompany and Kevin De Bruyne, Roma's Rajda Nainggolan, Everton's Romelu Lukaku, and Manchester United's Marouane Fellaini among the players currently playing their international football for Belgium, it is no surprise that Marc Wilmot's side are being heralded as the best ever of the nation's history.
Impressively, it was only less than four years ago that die Roten Teufel were watching the EURO 2012 tournament on their television sets after failing to secure qualification. And after booking their ticket to their first World Cup appearance in 12 years last summer, they made it all the way to the quarter-finals before being halted by tournament runners-up Argentina.
Wilmot's side will come into this match brimming with confidence, having won their last four games on the trot after losing 1-0 to Wales in qualifiers back in June. However, with the exception of Wales, they were largely untroubled in their qualfying campaign and so could face a sterner test as they take on Italy and then Spain as the ambitious side seek to fine-tune their preparations ahead of the big event next summer.
Notable absences for Wilmot will be Courtois, who has not featured since suffering a knee injury earlier this season, and young defender Jordan Lukaku - albeit older brother Romelu will likely lead the line. Captain Vincent Kompany, who reportedly missed out on a training session is another that should be fit to feature and vice-skipper Eden Hazard will retain his spot in the starting XI despite his frustrating season at club level. Unfortunately, the team will also not be able to call on Fellaini after the tall midfielder picked up an injury in training.
Italy
Meanwhile, although Italy finished top of their group - four points of second placed Croatia - that has not stopped some criticism of Antonio Conte's side. Despite making it through their 10 games without suffering a single loss (seven wins and three draws), the 16 goals accumulated by the Azzurri were not enough to appease everyone in all quarters of the constantly questioning Italian press.
And Conte's recent selection for this friendly also has people talking, with the exclusion of veteran playmaker Andrea Pirlo one thing generating a lot of buzz. Although the former Juventus midfielder and coach opted to exclude the NYC FC star, he nonetheless has called on his usual core of Bianconeri players, led by the evergreen skipper Gianluigi Buffon and including defensive trio Andrea Barzagli, Leonardo Bonucci, and Giorgio Chiellini.
In addition, another stalwart of the national side - experienced midfielder Claudio Marchisio - has also returned to the set-up, and Conte has opted to give both AC Milan's Alessio Cerci and Anderlecht's Stefano Okaka a chance to prove they deserve a spot on the plane to France next summer. With the in-form duo of Sampdoria's Eder and Southampton's Graziano Pelle leading the attack, Belgium's defense will have to be on their guard as they have shown their potential for asking some serious questions of defenses in Serie A and the Premier League respectively.
Stats, facts, and head-to-head
This will be the ninth meeting across all competitions between Belgium in Italy. So far, the Azzurri enjoy the slight historical advantage, with three wins versus Belgium's two, and the other four matches finished as draws.
The last time Belgium were able to defeat their upcoming visitors was during a friendly clash exactly 16 years ago to Friday's meeting that finished as a 3-1 result in their favor. However the last two matches - during the EURO 2000 tournament and in a 2008 friendly - Friday's hosts were outplayed and outclassed as they lost both games 2-0 and 3-1 respectively.
Will Belgium continue their impressive run by defeating a side that has given them difficulty in the past? Or will Italy snap their four-match unbeaten streak?
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