Belgium admitted riding their luck as they drew with 10-man Italy in the Nations League with coach Domenico Tedesco forced to defend his tactics.

Luciano Spalletti’s men welcomed Belgium to town on Thursday and grabbed a quick-fire lead after only a few seconds and just 17 passes. Brilliant movement from the Italians, started by goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma at the back, eventually put the ball in front of Federico Dimarco as the visitors were sliced apart.

Italy were held to a 2-2 draw by Belgium on Thursday after Lorenzo Pellegrini was sent off as they squandered a 2-0 lead in Nations League A Group 2.Italy scored in the first minute when winger Federi

The pick of the midweek international fixtures sees the Azzurri take on Domenico Tedesco's side in Rome.

After Luciano Spalletti's Italy won two games in a row in the UEFA Nations League against France and Israel in September, the Azzurri are back on the pitch and will face Belgium Thursday and Israel next Monday.

Belgium admitted riding their luck as they drew with 10-man Italy in the Nations League with coach Domenico Tedesco forced to defend his tactics. The Belgians were 2-0 down after 24 minutes on Thursday but fought back to draw 2-2 after Italy had Lorenzo Pellegrini sent off near at the end of the first half,

Coach Domenico Tedesco is confident that Belgium's new generation of young talent can step up to the plate in the absence of some big-name players. Belgium will face Italy in Rome on Thursday in the Nations League without injured captain Kevin De Bruyne and striker Romelu Lukaku.