Van Bommel warns: Italy duel is not a final in Nations League

Belgium play Sunday evening in the Nations League against Italy, a direct duel for qualification for the next round of the tournament. Earlier the Red Devils won 2-0 away at the Italians, but according to national coach Mark van Bommel that means nothing.

Van Bommel thinks the opponent is better at the moment: “They are more stable. In a short period they have improved. You don’t just beat France.”

Italy sit top of Group A1 with as many points as France, while Belgium have one point fewer, making the match a sort of final, but Van Bommel stresses that it is not a final, but a knockout test.

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He adds that Italy have the advantage because a draw is enough, although that may cause doubt, and that Belgium always want to win, regardless of the venue.

Nevertheless the Dutchman has a fit squad; Kevin De Bruyne played and scored against Turkey, although he was a bit under the weather in Istanbul, while Romelu Lukaku did not feature in that match but is now fit again.

Belgium and Italy pay a solemn tribute to the Heysel disaster