Belgium coach Mark van Bommel explains why has decided to start Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere as a False 9 against Italy. ‘He is a complete player.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens from the game on the Liveblog.

These sides are in Nations League Group A along with France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye.

Roberto Mancini returns to the Nazionale, having controversially walked away for the Saudi Arabia job in 2023, but he was the last to win silverware in 2021 with the European Championship.

It is also the debut for Van Bommel on this bench, and his first coaching job since leaving 2024.

“I’m excited for the game, but then we’ll be calm on the pitch and we know what we need to do,” Van Bommel told RAI Sport and Sky Sport Italia.

Former Napoli striker Romelu Lukaku is left on the bench initially, so De Ketelaere is confirmed as a False 9 upfront.