Spalletti: “Italy has to prove that we can handle potential”

Luciano Spalletti believes Italy “showed our abilities” by beating France, but against Belgium they will be under great pressure to show “we can handle our enormous potential” and play consistently.

It starts at 7.45pm UK time (6.45pm GMT) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

You can follow the entire build-up and action in the live blog.

This is the first game Italy have played since the death of Italy's 1990 legend Totò Schillaci last month at the age of 59. Therefore, a video compilation will be played and the stadium will be dark before the game in honor of the World Cup's top scorer.

“They will be emotional moments that make us realize the importance of the game and show us how we should approach it,” Spalletti told RAI Sport.

Spalletti wants Italy to have consistency now

The Nazionale will be hoping to build more momentum after starting the Nations League season with a 3-1 win in France and a 2-1 win over Israel.

They have now opted for a 3-5-2 formation, with Lorenzo Pellegrini supporting current Serie A capocannoniere Mateo Retegui in attack this evening.

“It would be very important because we showed against France that we have what it takes to be at the top of world football. Tonight we have to prove that we can handle our enormous potential and that we can consistently bring what we want into the game.”

Spalletti chooses the same starting eleven as in the 3-1 win in Paris, which started poorly by conceding a goal in the opening seconds but managed to turn things around.

“I endorse the same team because they have proven that they also have a strong mentality considering what happened at the beginning of this game, which cannot be taken for granted.”