Wary Waseige issues warning

Robert Waseige says Italy will be a tough nut to crack

Belgium coach Robert Waseige has told his players to forget all about their win over Italy in November as the two teams prepare to meet again on Wednesday.

"We beat the Italians 3-1 but that was only a friendly game," said Waseige. "In competitive matches, the Italians are always much stronger.

"Perhaps we can take confidence from the victory, and we learned how they do things, but it really has nothing to do with the match to come."

Waseige admitted he had been impressed with Italy during their 2-1 victory over Turkey.

"They were magnificent in the first match," he said. "They have almost too many players of a high standard, they are well-drilled and their creativity is one of their strong points."

Still, Waseige is in upbeat mood ahead of the Group B clash in Brussels.

"Mentally and physically my players showed against Sweden that they are in top form, and that is important," he said.

Wilmots is fit for action

Italy's coach, Dino Zoff, is not about to write the co-hosts off either.

"They are a strong team that we got to know well in the loss at Lecce," said the former World Cup winner. "Let's hope we learned a lesson there.

"It will be a tough battle because we'll be taking on the home team."

Waseige has opted to make just one change to the team that beat Sweden 2-1 in the opening game of Euro 2000.

Monaco's Philippe Leonard has been suffering with a slight groin strain and has made way for Nico van Kerckhoven in defence, although Waseige said Leonard's injury was not the only reason for the switch.

Belgium v Italy

They have met 18 times in the past

Italy hold the advantage, winning 11 and losing just three times

Belgium have not been beaten by Italy at any stage of the European Championships

Marc Wilmots has overcome a knee injury to take his place in midfield.

Italy may also be forced into a minor reshuffle after an injury scare.

Juventus midfielder Gianluca Pessotto strained his right calf muscle in the win over Turkey but is expected to be make the starting line-up.

Zoff, who was not entirely happy with his team's performance on Sunday, could decide to chop and change in any case.

It will be a tough battle because we'll be taking on the home team

Dino Zoff

Alessandro Del Piero gave Zoff food for thought after making an impressive contribution as a substitute against Turkey.

He could come in for Francesco Totti. Alternatively, Zoff may adopt a three-man attack, employing Del Piero alongside Totti and Filippo Inzaghi.

The winners of Wednesday's game in the King Baudouin Stadium will almost certainly book a place in the quarter-finals.

Del Piero could get call-up

And history clearly favours Belgium. They have an impressive record against Italy in the European Championships and have never lost to them in either the qualifiers or finals.

They beat the Azzurri at the quarter-final stage in 1972 and pipped them to a place in the final in 1980 by holding them to a goalless draw in Rome.