De Ketelaere set to face Scalvini in the decisive Belgium‑Italy clash

Belgium must win on Sunday in Brussels to reach the quarter‑finals of the Nations League, while Italy only needs a draw; Charles De Ketelaere has already said he is not surprised by Italy's 3‑1 victory over France at the San Siro, which put them top of Group A1.

Charles De Ketelaere looks forward with enthusiasm to the upcoming clash against his Atalanta teammate Giorgio Scalvini when Belgium host Italy in the decisive Sunday match.

During an interview given to Sky and reported by Corriere dello Sport, the striker recalled Italy's 3‑1 win over France at the San Siro, a result that placed the Azzurri at the top of Group A1.

De Ketelaere's words

De Ketelaere said that Italy did not surprise him, praising the strength of its players and the team's mental development.

He also highlighted that the two wins against Turkey and the success against France gave the Azzurri great confidence.

On 29 October 2026 in Florence, Mateo Pellegrino of ACF Fiorentina faced both Scalvini and De Ketelaere of Atalanta during the Serie A match at the Artemio Franchi Stadium.

Van Bommel ignores final label, Belgium must now beat Azzurri

For Belgium it is essential to win in Brussels to reach the quarter‑finals, while Italy only needs a draw to advance.

De Ketelaere scored in Belgium's 2‑1 comeback against Turkey in Izmir on Thursday, playing as a false nine.

Scalvini, previously used in a defensive trio, was deployed in a back four by Italy.

The teammate is also a friend, De Ketelaere said, and it will be enjoyable to face him on the pitch.

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He explained that with Belgium he plays the role of a true striker, while at Atalanta coach Maurizio Sarri uses him as a trequartista behind Nikola Krstović.

According to him, he loves scoring as a striker, but in Bergamo (Atalanta) he focuses more on creating play and maintaining ball possession, a slightly different task.