₦airaland Forum

[img]http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR5BkvpdIEfHsbYHcM2YwdbmwSNjFaP1qX3GvbjWeReJM0BklaDyDdb1o8[/img] [size=16pt]Belgium vs Italy[/size] [img]http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSN7pLGkLeM6bM39y_BiMtAgeAqYn9LBGY4KkBQKE0kiGspJ7dc1po67MU[/img]

Eden Hazard and Thomas Vermaelen have survived injury scares for Belgium to be in contention for their Group E clash with Italy on Monday.

The Belgium captain Hazard was forced out of Friday's behind-closed-doors session with a foot injury after he was stood on.

But the Chelsea forward, who discovered form towards the end of a disappointing campaign at Stamford Bridge, is expected to recover to lead his country against Italy at the Stade de Lyon.

"I don't think it is serious, just a knock." Red Devils manager Marc Wilmots told reporters.

Vermaelen, who was considered a doubt earlier in the week, has also recovered and is ready to start against the Azzurri.

"Thomas has done well in training over the last days and is completely ready for the battle. He has no more problems," Wilmots added.

Italy on the other hand, were beset by injury problems before the tournament and travelled to France without the influential Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio.

Manager Antonio Conte, who is thought to favour partnering Southampton striker Graziano Pelle with Inter loanee Eder on Monday, is relying on a Juventus back line of Leonardo Bonucci, Andrea Barzagli and Giorgio Chiellini in front of Gianluigi Buffon in goal to keep out Belgium's attacking riches.

"It's definitely an advantage to be able to rely on four players from Juventus who have played together for a long time in defence, and of course we are building something solid on this basis," Conte told UEFA.com.

"But as I said before, I like to adopt a proactive style of play and for this, balance will be important, both in attacking and defending."

Opta stats

Italy are unbeaten in their three games with Belgium at major tournaments (W2 D1), including two European Championships matches (0-0 in 1980, 2-0 to Italy in 2000).

The last five encounters between Belgium and Italy have produced 18 goals, an average of 3.6 per game.

Belgium have lost five of their last seven games in the European Championships

Italy were one of four teams (alongside Austria, England and Romania) to remain unbeaten in the 2016 qualifying campaign.

Wilmots and Conte were in the starting line up the last time Belgium and Italy faced each other at Euro 2000.

Italy have drawn more games than any other side in Euro history (15). They have also recorded the most goalless draws (8 ).

Possible XI

Belgium (4-2-3-1 formation): Courtois; Alderweireld, Vermaelen, Vertonghen, Ciman; Fellaini, Nainggolan; Mertens, De Bruyne, Hazard; Lukaku

Italy (3-5-2 formation): Buffon; Barzagli, Bonucci, Chiellini; Candreva, Parolo, Motta, Giaccherini, El Shaarawy; Zaza, Immobile

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tomisinobm:
.

ignore the guy above me, the ftc belongs to me. o

and the bellow me some prayers too

Jimadey:
666

don't mind the next guy too, he just graduate from yabaleft

Checked86:
Today we shall see the best of Messi and Rooney

Today we shall see the best of Messi and Rooney

Checked86:
Today we shall see the best of Messi and Rooney

The guy above me is a graduate of yaba.

both team to score

Kevin De Bruyne to score beauty.

Belgium to win Euro Like if you support.
#TeamHazard

Belgium will trash Italy "messilessly"

let the best team win

I must confess dat Belgium is well squaded

6goals thriller

Checked86:
Today we shall see the best of Messi and Rooney

You should have Sun-Dried the weed na!

dason4life:
Belgium will trash Italy "messilessly"

Italy 5 belguim 1

Checked86:
Today we shall see the best of Messi and Rooney

What are you saying?

tsamson:
ignore the guy above me, the ftc belongs to me. o

im composing my ftc speech

For leaving out balo,,,,,,Belgium all the way...

Hazard will be playing against his new boss.

Chelsea fans who will you support.

Like for the new coach. share for Hazard

Clash of d titans
See Italy winning by a goal to nil

It gonna be tough men!

Jimadey:
666

Awon omo Esu ti de bi

#TeamBelgium

dason4life:
You should have Sun-Dried the weed na!

Are you implying that Messi and Rooney won't score today? Let's see nah

#team germany
motta the bes player here

italiaa to win

Chimaritoponcho:
I must confess dat Belgium is well squaded

yep no doubt about that, but they are all bunch of individual players..we saw that at the world cup

timidapsin:
Belgium to win Euro Like if you support.
#TeamHazard

bro na Italy sure past

bjhaid:
yep no doubt about that, but they are all bunch of individual players..we saw that at the world cup

I believe they'll do well dis tym around. they are ranked 2nd in the present fifa rankings