Van Bommel ready for Italy 'test' as Belgium chase quarter-final place

Belgium head coach Mark van Bommel was not surprised by Italy's win over France last time out as he prepares for a "test" in their final Nations League group game on Sunday.

Three of the four teams in Group A1 still have a chance of reaching the quarter-finals, after Belgium kept their hopes alive with a 2-1 comeback win over bottom-placed Türkiye last time out.

They sit third in the table on nine points, just one behind group leaders Italy and France, who are second due to their head-to-head record with Italy following Thursday's 3-1 defeat in Milan.

It means that Belgium must win at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels to reach the last eight of the competition, while a victory, coupled with France dropping points against Türkiye, would see them finish top of the group.

Van Bommel was hesitant to liken the match to a final before they get to the knockout stages, but he is well aware of what is on the line for Belgium.

"It's an important game that would allow us to continue or not," Van Bommel said at his pre-match press conference on Saturday.

"It's a test comparable to other cups, an interesting game to play under pressure. We always prepare the same way, whether it's a final or not.

"Tomorrow only victory counts, but it's not a final that lets you win a cup.

"Italy didn't surprise me. Italy are a very good team. Maybe France took them lightly, but it doesn't surprise me."

Kevin De Bruyne and Charles De Ketelaere were the goalscorers against Türkiye, with the former being Belgium's top scorer in the Nations League with three goals.

Romelu Lukaku currently has just one goal to his name in the 2026-27 campaign for Belgium, in three appearances, and he missed their last match with a hip problem.

However, Van Bommel confirmed he will be involved against Italy, though he refused to confirm whether that would be from the start or off the bench.

"He's always important, whether he starts or comes on as a substitute," Van Bommel said of Lukaku.

"He's a player with a lot of experience, and it's a good thing to have him in a full stadium."