This is my first posting written in English on SCORUM. My english skill is very poor. I hope you to understand my first posting generously.
Monday 10 September 2018 20:45 CET (19.45 local time), Portugal and Italy go head to head in Lisbon as both teams look for their first Nations League win.
Portugal are set to make their UEFA Nations League bow as they host Roberto Mancini's Italy on Monday evening. A Ronaldo-less Portugal played out 1-1 draw with World Cup semi-finalists Croatia in a friendly on Thursday evening.
Meanwhile Italy have already begun their Nations League campaign with a disappointing draw at home to Poland.
Two coaches' views
We look at the UEFA Nations League with total commitment. It is a new competition and we are totally interested in playing it and winning it. We will not look at this as a minor competition. But this is also the beginning of a new cycle, a cycle that ends at UEFA EURO 2020, where we will defend our European title so we have to be prepared for it. We believe this is the group of players we should have with us.-Fernando Santos, Portugal coach
I will change a few players compared to the game against Poland, and we could change the playing system too. In the first half [against Poland] we missed too many easy passes; in the second half we were much better. We have to rediscover the performance of the second half in Bologna and earn a better result in Portugal. We need to win games to restore morale within the team and among our fans.-Roberto Mancini, Italy coach
Probable Lineups
Predicted Lineups by UEFA
Portugal: Patrício; Cancelo, Pepe, Dias, Mário Rui; Rúben Neves; William, Pizzi, Bernardo Silva, Gelson, André Silva
Italy: Donnarumma; Lazzari, Bonucci, Romagnoli, Criscito; Cristante, Jorginho, Bonaventura; Insigne, Belotti, Chiesa
Recent form
Head to head
In the past 25 meetings,Italy have recorded 18 victories with Portugal having only won 5 times with 2 draws between them.
In their last five meetings, Italy have recorded four wins over Portugal. But, Portugal won last meeting 1-0 in Geneva in 2015 friendly.
Match Point
- Juventus's Ronaldo not in Portugal squad
- Italy struck late to draw opener with Poland
- Portugal making UEFA Nations League debut
- Portugal drew 1-1 with Croatia in Thursday friendly
- Portugal beat Italy 1-0 in June 2015 friendly
My Predicted Score
Portugal 2-1 Italy
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