Italy's opening Nations League night against Belgium is being shaped less by the fixture itself than by the team sheet. It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday at 19.45 UK time, and the biggest decisions are up front and at right-back. Michael Kayode is still being talked up as a possible debutant, while Moise Kean and Francesco Pio Esposito are in the attacking conversation.

Kayode's place in the XI

The right-back call is the one that will draw most attention. Italy are without suspended Alessandro Bastoni, while Federico Dimarco and Bryan Cristante pulled out due to injury, so the back line is already short on familiar options. Even with that opening, Kayode is still rated at the €40m mark and is unlikely to start, with Giovanni Di Lorenzo expected at right-back.

That cautious read fits his club minutes. Kayode has five Premier League appearances and 297 minutes for Brentford this season, and his 6.77 rating suggests steady form rather than the sort of level that forces a senior debut. The valuation explains why he is in the conversation; the workload explains why Italy may still hold off.

The forward choices and Belgium's threat

Up front, Francesco Pio Esposito has the strongest case to keep his name on the board. His 7.14 Serie A rating, plus two goals in four appearances, gives Italy a younger option with some club form behind him. Moise Kean is in that same discussion, which leaves the final attacking call more open than most Italy line-ups usually are before a home opener.

Belgium arrive with a reshaped group and a first match under Mark van Bommel, but they still have enough quality to keep Italy honest. Leandro Trossard and goalkeeper Mike Penders are unavailable, while Thibaut Courtois, Andre Onana and Jeremy Doku are left out. Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Mika Godts are in the probable front line, with Charles De Ketelaere also in the wider attacking picture.

The contest is still likely to be decided by Italy's choices as much as Belgium's. If Kayode stays on the bench, the headline becomes the forward pairing and how Roberto Mancini balances Kean with Pio Esposito in Rome on Friday.

Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 2 outlets. How we work →