Italy vs Israel

Udinese’s Bluenergy Stadium sets the stage for a ‘David vs Goliath’ UEFA Nations League clash between Italy and Israel.

Italy looked on course to protect their 100% record in Group A2 when they went 2-0 up against Belgium last week, only for Lorenzo Pellegrini’s first-half red card to allow ‘De Rode Duivels’ to pull off a 2-2 draw at the Stadio Olimpico. After relinquishing a two-game winning Nations League start following a dreadful Euro 2024 campaign, Luciano Spalletti’s men will be out to recapture their best form against Israel, a side they’ve defeated in all three meetings this century, including a 2-1 win in September’s reverse fixture. ‘Gli Azzurri’ can draw further confidence from their formidable form on home turf, taking the field amid an eight-game unbeaten run as hosts (W6, D2). On top of that, they’ve won the last two H2Hs on home soil by an aggregate score of 7-0, highlighting the potential for an emphatic victory.

Life in the Nations League’s highest tier was never supposed to be easy for League A debutants Israel, yet zero points from their first three matches looks somewhat below par. Despite finding the back of the net on each occasion, Ran Ben Shimon’s men have paid a hefty price for their defensive leaks, most recently suffering a woeful 4-1 defeat to France. While the visitors can seek excuses in off-field turmoil tormenting the team amid the raging conflict back home, another underwhelming performance would likely condemn the Chosen Team to a swift return to League B. To avoid such a fate, Israel must defy the history books and post their first triumph against a nation currently ranked in FIFA’s top ten for the first time since overcoming Argentina 2-1 in 1998 (D4, L15 since).