When Belgium welcome Italy to the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels this Sunday the final round of the UEFA Nations League Group A1 stage will be a high-stakes clash.
Belgium currently sit third in their group on nine points, one behind both Italy and France. Both sides know victory will guarantee qualification to the quarter finals.
In the process, both coaches will be leaning heavily on elite young amidst a demanding autumn schedule. Striver.Football highlights these six young standouts:
Belgium
Diego Moreira
Position: Wide Forward
Age: 22
The AC Milan wide forward enters international duty in sensational Serie A form. Moreira has tallied four goals and three assists across just seven league matches while completing 88% of his passes, alongside a 91% passing accuracy rate in UEFA Europa League action.
Facing several familiar Serie A defenders, his explosive acceleration and sharp crossing out wide will test Italy's right flank all evening.
Joaquin Seys
Position: Full-Back
Age: 21
The Club Brugge full-back offers Belgium immense two-way balance and set-piece delivery. Seys has notched three assists in 11 Belgian Pro League appearances alongside one goal and two assists in UEFA Champions League play this autumn while maintaining a 92% passing accuracy in Europe.
His overlapping runs and defensive recovery speed will be vital to stretching Italy's compact shape.
Mika Godts
Position: Winger
Age: 21
Operating as a dynamic, unpredictable winger for Paris Saint-Germain, Godts brings elite flair to the left flank.
He has recorded two goals, two assists, and nine completed dribbles across nine Ligue 1 outings (90% pass accuracy, rising to 92% in the Champions League) while drawing nine fouls through his sharp close control. Expect him to isolate defenders one-on-one and cut inside onto his stronger foot.
Italy
Francesco Pio Esposito
Position: Striker
Age: 21
The Inter Milan target man provides Italy with a physical focal point and clinical penalty-box presence.
Esposito has scored three goals with one assist and 11 chances created across 11 Serie A matches, adding another strike in UEFA Champions League play this campaign.
His aerial dominance and hold-up play will be crucial to relieving pressure and bringing Italy's runners into play.
Michael Kayode
Position: Full-Back
Age: 22
The Brentford full-back has become a key contributor for both club and country this autumn. Kayode has logged four Nations League appearances with a goal to his name, complementing one goal and eight tackles won across 10 Premier League outings.
Pairing rigid one-on-one defensive steel with tireless overlapping energy, his direct battle against Godts and Moreira down the flank will be one of the defining matchups of the night.
Giorgio Scalvini
Position: Center-Back
Age: 22
Anchoring Atalanta's backline, Scalvini pairs towering defensive authority with elite distribution from deep.
He boasts 42 clearances and a near-flawless 95% passing completion rate (534 completed passes from 560 attempts) across nine Serie A appearances.
Fresh off four Nations League outings for the Azzurri, his composure under Belgium's high press will dictate Italy's buildup.
Key lessons for youngsters
Diego Moreira facing Serie A defenders he competes against every weekend shows young players how studying opponents' habits closely gives you an edge when meeting them on the international stage.
Giorgio Scalvini completing 534 of 560 passes in Serie A proves that calmly breaking pressing lines with clean distribution is just as vital for a center-back as clearing danger.
Michael Kayode and Joaquin Seys demonstrate that modern full-backs must combine relentless recovery defending with decisive final-third delivery to lock down starting spots for both club and country.
