THE FUSE

Belgium, also beginning a new era under former AC Milan midfielder Mark van Bommel, arrived in Rome without several star names of their own. Injuries to Leandro Trossard, Jeremy Doku, and Andre Onana meant the Red Devils were far from full strength, yet they retained plenty of Serie A flavour in their starting eleven. The likes of Charles De Ketelaere, Kevin De Bruyne and Diego Moreira were tasked with providing the creative spark, and they settled into the contest much quicker than their hosts.