New Delhi: Italy bagged a massive win on matchday 1 coming from behind to beat France 3-1. Israel will meet Israel at the Bozsik Arena, Hungary tonight because of security reasons. The match will kick off at 12:15 pm.
Italy’s stunning victory at Parc des Princes in Paris was their first-ever head-to-head win in French soil for 70 years giving Luciano Spalletti’s men the much-needed momentum after a lackluster Euro 2024. After conceding in the first minute of the game they bounced back from a goal down to seal the victory.
At the Euro 2024, the Azzurri’s were knocked out by Switzerland in the round of 16 so few changes were made to bring the first UEFA Nations League title home. In order to go deep in the draw Italy needs to claim a top-two placing in League A Group 2 which will see them qualify for the new quarter-final stage.
Meanwhile, Israel had their work cut by Belgium in the opening match that saw the same score line 3-1. Israel While they tried their level best, they were not good enough to cause an upset. The Sky Blue and Whites were within touching distance of making it to the UEFA Euro 2024 play-offs but they lost 4-1 to Iceland.
Ran Ben Shimon’s side faces a daunting task in their group, vying for top-two placement against formidable opponents like Belgium and France. Despite their 2022 promotion from League B, where they topped a group featuring Iceland, Albania, and Russia, their current challenge is significantly more demanding.
No doubt Italy holds an edge over Israel and are expected to win by a huge margin and are even riding high on confidence following their win over the 2022 World Cup winners. However, the Sky Blue and Whites will hope they can hold the Azzurri in their second match of the Nations League.
Team News
Riccardo Calafiori looks on during the UEFA EURO 2024 group stage match between Croatia and Italy at Football Stadium Leipzig on June 24, 2024 in Leipzig, Germany. (Photo by Harry Langer/DeFodi Images via Getty Images)
Israel will be heading into the clash without the services of their captain Eli Dasa, and Manor Solomon is expected to lead the side for the second time having done it in the opening fixture. Ran Ben Shimon will likely go with a 3-4-2-1 formation with Yoav Gerafi in the goalpost.
The back three will be led by Raz Shlomo, Idan Nachmias, and Omri Gandelman. Sagiv Jehezkel and Denny Gropper will help the backline as they will aim for a clean sheet against Italy. Neta Lavi and Dor Peretz will look to control the tempo of the game in the center. Manor Solomon and Oscar Gloukh will keep the attacking line in check.
On matchday 1 Anan Khalaili featured up front for the home team against Belgium but Dean David is the alternate option who can start alongside Solomon and rising star Gloukh.
In Italy’s camp, Luciano Spalletti coming into the Nations League made eight changes to the Italy squad that lost to Switzerland at Euro 2024, switching to three-man defence. One member of this trio, Riccardo Calafiori will not be part of the starting XI as he sustained a freak injury on Friday night as Ousmane Dembele improbably landed on his leg.
The other missing members will be Gianluca Scamacca (ACL) and Nicolo Barella (sinus injury). Marco Brescianini and Caleb Okoli might get to start for Italy while Destiny Udogie, Moise Kean, and Sandro Tonali have also returned to the squad.
Giacomo Raspadori after scoring the third goal in Paris could get a spot in the starting XI and start in the attacking line up alongside Mateo Retegui.
Head-to-Head
Germany and Hungary have faced each other five times. Italy has been unbeaten in all five matches, they have won four and drawn one. The two sides last time licked horns in a World Cup qualifier back in September 2017 which the Azzurri won by a 1-0 score line.
Israel have managed just two clean sheets in their last eight matches across all competitions. Both teams will be heading into the clash with just one victory in the last four matches. Israel have never won over Italy and will aim for their first-ever win.
Predicted lineup
Israel: Gerafi; Shlomo, Nachmias, Gandelman; Jehezkel, Lavi, Peretz, Gropper; Solomon, Gloukh; Khalaili
Italy: Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Cambiaso, Ricci, Tonali, Frattesi, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui
When, where, and how to watch the Israel vs Italy match in India?
The Israel vs Italy UEFA Nations League 2024/25 match will be telecast live on Sony Sports Network in India. Live streaming of Nations League 2024 will be available on the SonyLIV app and website. The action begins at 12:15 am IST tonight. Other matches scheduled for today include Romania vs Lithuania, Norway vs Austria, and Montenegro vs Wales.
Match Prediction
Israel had a tough time against Belgium and will be going to face similar difficulties battling out against Italy. The Sky Blue and Whites have lost three of their last four games and have won just two of their last eight matches.
Italy on the other hand, have ended their three-game winless streak and will be high on confidence following their win over France. The Azzurri will be looking to kick on from that and should clinch the victory by a fair margin.
Final Scoreline: Israel 0-2 Italy
Israel will lock horns with Italy in the UEFA Nations League at the Bozsik Arena tonight. But before the action kicks off, let’s examine which team has the upper hand over the other. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
