Former Italy coach Antonio Conte insists they can defeat Belgium.
The two nations meet in the Euro 2020 semifinals this week.
"Italy are on par with Belgium, we can create trouble for them, win and qualify for the next stage," Conte wrote in a letter published on La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“The victories in the group stage games showed a quality that gave us many expectations. The match against solid Austria was challenging.
“Our national team has proved to have an identity that some teams still don't have. Belgium are a strong team, singularly and collectively. Lukaku is a force of nature, but I do not reinvent the wheel when I say that the presence or absence of [Kevin] De Bruyne and [Eden] Hazard could make the difference.
“I respect Roberto Martinez for what he's done during the last few years, but Belgium's performance against Portugal was not convincing, both defensively and in terms of aggression.
“We can create trouble for them on the wings and Jorginho's tempo will be crucial in the middle of the park.
“Mancini needs no advice, Italian tacticians are very prepared tactically and Roberto will pick a team that will be able to manage every situation."
