Roberto Mancini won’t choose his Italy starting XI against Belgium until Friday morning. ‘There are two doubts. Nicolò Zaniolo, Moise Kean and Nicolò Cambiaghi can play on the right or left.’

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

The Nations League Group A is completed by France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye.

This is the return to the Nazionale for the coach who won the EURO 2020 trophy, but failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup, then controversially walked away in August 2023.

Considering the rubble he has come back to, what is the objective going into this extremely tough Nations League group?

“To play well from the start, which won’t be easy considering we’ve had just two days to prepare for this game,” said Mancini in his press conference.

“This is what international football is like, we have to get things done quickly and get results, that is the only medicine for what ails us. We hope to reach the Final Four of the Nations League, it’s a strong group and so it won’t be easy, but we’ll try.

“I can’t wait to hear the national anthem playing. Many of these players are experienced, and naturally there is pressure, but it’s positive pressure because playing football is their passion and they need to enjoy it.”