In the past two seasons of Group 2 in League B, Israel managed to stay unbeaten with two wins and two draws, earning promotion to League A.
This is a major leap for the Israeli team, as they now face a tough challenge in a group that includes Belgium, Italy, and France.
Last Friday, Israel began their Nations League campaign with a difficult away match against Belgium. Meanwhile, Italy is also facing challenges, with their squad considered to be historically weaker in recent years.
Although Italy won the Euro 2021 title in England, that victory seems to have masked deeper issues within the team.
The Squadra Azzurra failed to qualify for the last two World Cups in 2018 and 2022, signaling a downturn in Italian football. Their struggles continued at Euro 2024, where they were eliminated in the Round of 16 with a 2-0 loss to Switzerland. Italy also faced France last Friday in their Nations League opener.
Israel is missing several key players for this campaign, including goalkeepers Peretz (Bayern Munich) and Omri Glazer (Red Star Belgrade), defender Goldberg (Maccabi Haifa), midfielder Dan Glazer (Nizhny Novgorod), and forwards Zahavi (Maccabi Tel Aviv) and Weissman (Granada).
Despite these absences, they still have standout players such as captain Dasa (Dynamo Moscow), midfielder Gloukh (Salzburg), winger Solomon (Leeds), and young striker Khalaily (19, Union Sainte Gilloise).
In contrast, Italy’s current squad lacks the star power of past years. While goalkeeper Donnarumma (PSG) remains a key figure, set to earn his 66th cap, notable players like Chiellini, Barzagli, Verratti, and Immobile are no longer with the team.
Italy’s defense is still strong with players like Bastoni (Inter, 27 caps) and rising talent Calfiori (Arsenal, 5 caps). However, their attack lacks firepower, with no player in the squad having scored more than six goals for the national team. Kean (Fiorentina, 15 caps) and Raspadori (30 caps, 6 goals) are likely to feature.
Key figures such as Barella (recovering from surgery), Chiesa (newly transferred to Liverpool), and Berardi (Achilles injury) are absent, and Ciro Immobile was not called up after his move to Turkey.
Prediction
Italy would love to disrupt Israel’s promotion campaign, but their poor form on the road, with 15 matches without a win and five straight losses, makes that unlikely.
Israel, on the other hand, has been strong at home, winning eight of their last nine games at this level.
Prediction: Israel 1-0 Italy
