Italy Vs Israel

Following a frustrating draw in their last match, Italy is determined to strengthen their position at the top of League A Group 2 when they face Israel in the UEFA Nations League at Udine on Monday evening.

In their previous encounter, the Azzurri seemed poised for a win against Belgium in Rome before being reduced to ten players, which ultimately cost them the match. Conversely, Israel suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of France in their last outing.

The Azzurri began their Nations League campaign with a rocky start, conceding a goal just 13 seconds into their match against France last month. However, they quickly turned the tables in their recent 2-2 draw with Belgium, scoring within the first minute of the game.

Under the guidance of Luciano Spalletti, Italy showcased impressive teamwork, stringing together 18 consecutive passes before Andrea Cambiaso netted the opener at Stadio Olimpico. Mateo Retegui then extended Italy's lead with a close-range goal midway through the first half.

Unfortunately, the game took a turn for the worse when VAR recommended a red card for Lorenzo Pellegrini. The reckless dismissal of the Roma captain on home soil proved costly, as Belgium capitalized on the ensuing free kick, eventually leading to a draw.

Despite this setback, Italy remains optimistic. Securing another point keeps them at the summit of Group 2, and they now aim to notch their third win in four matches of this season's Nations League.

After a disappointing title defense in the European Championship, the Azzurri have bounced back strongly this September, initially defeating France in Paris before dispatching Israel.

Looking ahead to the final matches in November, Italy hopes to secure a top-two finish, which would qualify them for the new quarter-final stage. They aim to replicate their recent 2-1 victory over Israel in this upcoming clash.

Due to ongoing conflict in the Middle East, Israel has been playing their "home" matches in Hungary this year. Unfortunately, all three of their games in this neutral venue have ended in defeat.

Their campaign began on neutral ground against Belgium, where they suffered a 3-1 loss. This was followed by a defeat to Italy, and their most recent match ended with a 4-1 defeat to France.

During the match at Bozsik Arena, Israel's Eduardo Camavinga and Omri Gandelman exchanged goals, but Christopher Nkunku's strike restored France's lead. Matteo Guendouzi and Bradley Barcola sealed Israel's fate with two additional goals later in the game.

Having ascended from League C to the top tier of the Nations League in recent years, it appears that Israel's time among Europe’s elite may be short-lived. Currently, they trail third-placed Belgium by four points at the halfway mark and face a significant risk of automatic relegation.

With no points to show for their efforts in Group 2, Ran Ben Shimon's team heads to northern Italy with hope but little expectation, especially considering they have secured only two wins in their last ten matches—both against Andorra and Belarus.