Italy hopes to maintain their lead in League A Group 2 when they play UEFA Nations League rivals Israel in Udine on Monday night, following a moment of insanity that forced them to settle for a point the previous time out.
While their rock-bottom guests were soundly defeated by France, the Azzurri were reportedly coasting to win before losing to 10 men against Belgium in Rome.
Italy scored inside a minute of the first whistle in Thursday night's 2-2 draw with Belgium after giving up the opening goal of their new Nations League campaign within 13 seconds against France last month.
At Stadio Olimpico, Luciano Spalletti's team created Andrea Cambiaso's first goal with 18 consecutive passes before Mateo Retegui gave them the lead with a close-range goal halfway through the first half.
The Roma captain's careless dismissal on home soil cost his club dearly, though, as Belgium scored from the ensuing free kick and went on to secure a draw when the VAR stepped in to advise a straight red card for Pellegrini.
However, Italy is still in a positive frame of mind after gaining another point to maintain their lead in Group 2. They will now aim to win three of their four games in the Nations League this season.
After a lackluster defense of their European Championship title, the Azzurri turned things around in September by defeating France in Paris and then easily defeating Israel.
La Nazionale is now looking to replicate their recent 2-1 victory over Monday's opponents in order to earn a top-two finish and advance to the new quarter-final stage in November.
Due to the current Middle East crisis, Israel has moved to Hungary for their "home" matches this season, and all three of their games played there have ended in defeat.
Due to security concerns, they first played Belgium on neutral territory, losing 3-1. They next lost to Italy and, last time out, suffered their third consecutive defeat at the hands of France.
Eduardo Camavinga and Omri Gandelman traded goals before Christopher Nkunku put Les Bleus ahead, and Matteo Guendouzi and Bradley Barcola added two more goals later as the Sky-Blue and Whites were thrashed 4-1 at Bozsik Arena.
Israel's time among Europe's elite appears to be short, as they are currently four points behind third-place Belgium at the halfway point and are headed for immediate demotion after rising from League C to the top tier of the Nations League in recent years.
Given that they have only won two of their past ten games, against Andorra and Belarus, Ran Ben Shimon's team will undoubtedly go to northern Italy with hope rather than expectation after failing to earn a point in Group 2.
