Italy’s chances for quarterfinal qualification hang by a thread as they meet an equally despairing Belgium team in the last game of Group D of Women’s Euro 2022.
Le Azzure may be bottom of their group but still can qualify for the last eight if they manage to win against Belgium and wish Iceland failed to triumph over France in the other group game in simultaneous kick-off. Both teams are level on one point on the table.
ITA vs BEL Match Details
Date: Monday, 18th July 2022/ Tuesday, 19th July 2022
Time: 20:00 (BST)/ 00:30 (IST)
Venue: Academy Stadium, Manchester
ITA vs BEL Match Preview
It has been a disastrous campaign in the Euro 2022 for Italy so far. Le Azzurre could have suffered an early exit from the group stages if Bergamaschi didn’t score the equalizer in the unconvincing 1-1 draw against Iceland in the second group game. With the 5-1 defeat to France on the opening day still looming in their heads, Milena Bertolini’s side conceded the opening goal inside three minutes from a long throw-in which they failed to clear. This has become a recurring theme for the side struggling massively in defence. The partnership of Sara Gama and Elena Linari at the back has failed to construct any solidity with the former causing too many errors in the two games. The only positive thing from the draw was giving them a chance for progression into the quarterfinals if they manage to prevent Belgium from taking all three points out of them. Italy have so far faced the issue to field a favourable eleven with players chopping and changing before and during the game without any genuine impact. Although, the subs in the previous game did up the football for the team in the second half. If the Azzurre can stop leaking goals, the attackers will feel more relaxed in their duties and they need to sort it out fast. Faith is not totally on the Italian side as they need Iceland to derail against France which is a possibility because of the table topper’s dominance in the group.
Les Bleus’s ruthless attacks helped them shrug off Belgium’s challenge but the Red Flames should be proud of their performance in the 2-1 loss. Janice Cayman’s excellent finish restored parity for her side after Kadidiatou Diani near post header only for Griedge Mbock to seal the win for France in the first half itself. Following their 1-1 draw with Iceland in the opening game, this result puts them all to do in the final group game to stand a chance to qualify for the quarterfinals. Ives Serneels knows this is now or never for his side to fight for a stay in the competition. Like their opposition on the day, Belgium needs a win over Italy and wishes Iceland don’t upset France to advance to the next round. It is easier said than done even against an Italian side low on confidence. Belgium’s performance in the group stage deserves more and they can only build on the positives to take them through. Should they manage to reach their objective in the game, this will be the first time Belgium will escape this stage in only their second appearance in the Euro finals. Other nations like Switzerland and Portugal who also made their tournament debuts in 2017 failed to make out of the group stages so it will be quite a feat to be achieved.
Recent Form
ITA: DLDWW
BEL: LDWWW
ITA vs BEL Team News
For Italy, midfielder Valentina Cernoia is back following her isolation due to Covid and is fit to train and play. With her return, everyone in the squad is available for Milena Bertolini. Changes are imminent after a disappointing result against Iceland so Barbara Bonansea and Cristiana Girelli will be back in the starting lineup.
Defender Amber Tysiak won’t be available for Belgium as she serves a one-match suspension after the second-half substitute received a second yellow in the defeat against France. The rest of the players are available for Belgium with coach Ives Serneels expected to name an unchanged eleven in the last group game.
ITA vs BEL Expected Lineups
ITA: Laura Giuliani; Di Guglielmo, Sara Gama, Elena Linari, Lisa Boattin; Valentina Bergamaschi, Flaminia Simonetti, Martina Rosucci, Barbara Bonansea; Cristiana Girelli, Martina Piemonte
BEL: Nicky Evrard; Jody Vangheluwe, Sari Kees, De Neve, Davina Philtjens; Justina Vanhaevermaet, De Caigny, Julie Biesmans; Elena Dhont, Janice Cayman, Tessa Wullaert
ITA vs BEL Head to Head
These two last met each other four years back in the 2019 World Cup qualifiers. Italy triumphed in the game with Christina Girelli scoring a brace after Janice Cayman scored the opener from the spot for Belgium.
ITA vs BEL Dream11 Team Prediction
GK: Evrard (9)
DEF: Vangheluwe (8.5), De Neve (8), Linari (8.5), Boattin (9)
MID: Bergamaschi (9), Simonetti (8.5), Vanhaevermaet (9.5), Cayman (9)
FW: Wullaert (9), Piemonte (9.5)
