Italy will play it’s own game against Belgium, says Mancini

Italy players train in Munich yesterday. (AFP)

Italy coach Roberto Mancini said his side will play their own game against Belgium, the nation top of the FIFA world rankings, in today’s Euro 2020 quarter-final in Munich. Mancini’s team, who conceded their first goal in 19 hours and 28 minutes against Austria in their 2-1 last-16 victory on Saturday, have also impressed in attack, scoring nine goals in four matches in the tournament. But the prospect of facing Belgium, who have also won four out of four games at Euro 2020, does not mean Mancini will adopt more conservative tactics. “We will play our own game, well aware that we are up against the best team in the world at this moment of time,” Mancini said. “If they have been top of the FIFA rankings for three years it means they have been very good for a long time, but we will still play our way. We could tweak a few things a long the way if things do not go to plan, but we have a certain style of play and Belgium do too. I am sure it will be a wonderful game of football. The winner will be the team who makes the fewest errors.” Belgium’s main threat is a familiar one for the Azzurri defence with Romelu Lukaku, who has scored three goals in the tournament, set to spearhead Roberto Martinez side’s attack in the Allianz Arena. Lukaku was voted player of the year in Italy’s Serie A this season, as he fired Inter Milan to their first top-flight title in 11 years.De Bruyne, Eden Hazard absent from Belgium training Meanwhile, Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard yesterday were both absent from Belgium’s final training session. Captain Hazard and midfielder De Bruyne both hobbled off during Belgium’s 1-0 last-16 win over Portugal last weekend. De Bruyne is struggling with an ankle ligament injury while Hazard has a hamstring problem, although the Real Madrid forward did participate in part of training on Wednesday, according to Belgian media. On Monday, coach Roberto Martinez said both players were “50/50” to feature against Italy. “Kevin and Eden probably won’t get 100% fit, but we will use every day to get them as fit as possible,” he said. Belgium are bidding to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1980, when they lost to West Germany in the final. De Bruyne is central to Belgium’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals, where Spain or Switzerland would await next Tuesday. Martinez is assessing his alternative options in attacking midfield. Atletico Madrid’s Yannick Carrasco could replace Hazard, while Napoli forward Dries Mertens may step in for De Bruyne. Martinez expects Italy to “attack from the very first second, they will be very structured”, underlining the need for De Bruyne’s presence to guide Belgium’s counter-attacks. Italy are on a national record run of 31 games unbeaten after digging deep to seal a 2-1 victory over Austria following extra time in the last 16. Second-half replacements Federico Chelsea and Matteo Pessina scored to send the Italians through. “Italy will be the toughest opponent we’ve met so far,” said Belgium forward Thorgan Hazard.