During the European Championship, John Duggan brings you a preview and tips for the top football games in association with Paddy Power...
Can Belgium beat Italy in Munich without Kevin De Bruyne and Eden Hazard, if both players are unavailable because of injury?
De Bruyne in particular could be a fatal loss for a Belgian side that relies on attacking force to mask an aging defence.
Italy have no such injury worries with Giorgio Chiellini available again and a fully fit squad to choose from.
I actually believe it was important for Italy to face that tough test against Austria which they overcame after extra time.
I remember Germany facing an equally tricky tie against Algeria at the 2014 World Cup which steeled them to go again and win the football competition.
Italy are unbeaten in 31 and have won 12 in a row because they are organised and disciplined under manager Roberto Mancini.
It was two substitutes, Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina who scored the winning goals against Austria. That was evidence of their squad strength.
Italy were sublime against Switzerland in the Group stage and the Swiss have franked the form. Belgium on the other hand went behind to Denmark and were under pressure at times against Portugal.
I feel that their best chance of glory was at the 2018 World Cup when Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld were younger and Eden Hazard was in better form.
Yes, Romelu Lukaku is a danger for the Italian defence, but I have felt for a while that Belgium are the 'soft underbelly' of elite football, against the status of their number one world ranking.
I don't know how Winston Churchill would feel about that after he labelled Italy as having the 'soft underbelly' in the second World War!
Italy can win this in normal time.
Football recommendation: Italy to beat Belgium in the European Championship quarter-final in 90 minutes - 13/10
Good luck!
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