Preview: Israel vs. Italy – Prediction, team news, lineups

With the launch of their latest UEFA Nations League Campaign with an overwhelming victory in Paris, Italy meet Israel in their second Group 2 game on Monday.

The Azzurri travel to Hungary with three points in their pocket, where the match is being played for safety reasons; their opponents, meanwhile, lost 3-1 to Belgium.

Game Preview

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After setting a new record for the fastest goal conceded ever, Italy's problems seemed to continue on Friday night after a hopeless defence of their European title.

When Bradley Barcola stole the ball from Giovanni Di Lorenzo and shot past the Azzurri captain Gianluigi Donnarumma after only 13 seconds it could have become gloomy Luciano Spalletti's side; instead, they started a thrilling comeback.

First, Federico Dimarco combined with the recalled Sandro Tonali to achieve the grandiose balance, then David Frattesi place them before the replacement Giacomo Raspadori sealed the deal in the 74th minute.

The 3-1 win against France at the Parc des Princes was Italy's first victory in Paris in 70 years and lent credibility to Spalletti's claim of a fresh start.

At Euro 2024, the Azzurri never really found their rhythm and were eventually eliminated in the round of 16, so new blood was brought into the team for their latest attempt to win their first Nations League title.

Spalletti's predecessor, winner of Euro 2020 Roberto Mancinileft the team after leading his country to the 2023 finals and then to third place in the four-team tournament.

To finish at least one point better this time, Italy must finish in the top two places in Group 2 of League A to qualify for the new quarter-finals.

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While the Italians are aiming for a place in the finals, Israel will find it difficult to avoid relegation as the fourth-placed teams are automatically relegated and a play-off will be played for third place.

They were drawn into a particularly tough group and were promoted from League B in 2022 after topping a group that included Iceland, Albania and – initially – Russia.

However, the level of their opponents has increased this season and although they were able to draw level with Belgium on Friday evening, Ran Ben ShimonThe team finally lost 3-1 against a Kevin De Bruyne-inspired team in the Hungarian city of Debrecen.

The sky blue and whites had previously missed out on the 2024 European Championship due to a defeat in the playoffs, where they lost 1-4 to Iceland. In addition, their last appearance at a major tournament was more than 50 years ago.

Since the conflicts in the Middle East make it virtually impossible to host matches on home soil, Israel remains in exile: on Monday evening the country has to play again in Hungary.

Israel Nations League form:

Israeli Form (All Competitions):

Italy Nations League Form:

Italy Form (All Competitions):

Team News

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Luciano Spalletti outlined his new tactical framework for the coming months in the match against France, making eight changes to the Italian team that lost to Switzerland at Euro 2024 and switching to a three-man defence.

A member of this trio, Arsenal Riccardo Calafiorisuffered an unusual injury on Friday evening when Ousmane Dembele improbably landed on his leg. However, the former Bologna defender is expected to recover soon.

The Azzurri definitely have to Gianluca Scamacca (ACL) and Nicolo Barella (sinus surgery), but international new guys Marco Brescianini And Caleb Okoli are both available, while Fate Udogie, Moise Kean and Sandro Tonali have all returned to the squad.

After his third goal in Paris, Giacomo Raspadori could move into the starting line-up and partner either Kean or Mateo Retegui up front in a 3-5-2 formation.

Israel, meanwhile, was without a captain Eli Dasa due to an injury last week, according to Leeds United loan player Salomon Mansion was captain of his nation for the first time.

Only four of their regular players had reached double figures in their senior appearances and a similarly inexperienced team is likely to line up at the Bozsik Arena in Budapest on Monday.

Against Belgium, Anan Khalaili He was part of the attack, but the Maccabi Haifa striker David is an alternative option alongside Solomon and Rising Star Oscar Gloukh.

Possible starting eleven for Israel:
Gerafi; Shlomo, Nachmias, Gandelman; Jehezkel, Lavi, Peretz, Gropper; Solomon, Gloukh; Khalaili

Possible starting eleven for Italy:
Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Bellanova, Ricci, Tonali, Frattesi, Dimarco; Raspadori, Retegui

We think: Israel 0-2 Italy

Buoyed by their success in France, the newly formed Italy should be in a good position against an Israeli team that lacks international flair and experience.

With six points out of a possible six, the Azzurri would be in a strong position ahead of their clash with Belgium in Rome next month.

Click here to see a data analysis of the most likely outcomes, scores and more for this match.

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