**Italy hosts Belgium in a Nations League slugfest between two teams that are quietly humming along.** Both came through their last windows unscathed, and the Olimpico should be buzzing on Friday. 🔥

Italy's been grinding wins in difficult away fixtures, while Belgium just flexed by dismantling the USA 4-1. This is the kind of early tournament moment where form matters, and both sides have it.

Key storylines:

- **Italy's home advantage** is real — they've won their last three outings and the Olimpico crowd will be behind them from the whistle
- **Kevin De Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku** leading Belgium's attack against a solid Italian back line anchored by **G. Donnarumma** and company
- Injuries have nibbled at both squads, but neither has lost a star — Italy missing midfielders, Belgium without Onana and Trossard

Expected lineups:

- **Italy**: G. Donnarumma, A. Bastoni, R. Calafiori, G. Di Lorenzo, M. Locatelli, S. Tonali, N. Barella, M. Retegui, F. P. Esposito
- **Belgium**: T. Courtois, M. De Cuyper, B. Mechele, T. Castagne, Y. Tielemans, N. Raskin, K. De Bruyne, R. Lukaku

Prediction:

**Italy 1–1 Belgium.** Both teams have the grit to grind a draw here, and Italy's home edge gets cancelled out by Belgium's recent scoring form. Coin flip that leans slightly toward the hosts.