De Ketelaere: Italy have grown, but we need only the win

De Ketelaere says Belgium must win Sunday's Nations League qualifier in Brussels; Italy have grown mentally but the Atalanta forward expects only victory will do.

Charles De Ketelaere spoke ahead of Belgium's Nations League clash with Italy on Sunday evening in Brussels, a match both sides need to win to progress to the quarter-finals. Belgium won their opening fixture in Rome but trail Italy by a point in the group.

De Ketelaere told Sky Sport that Italy have impressed him with their mental growth, having beaten Turkey twice and France to rebuild confidence. "They are a strong team with strong players," he said. "We know what we have to do — we need to win. For us only victory counts and we will have to play with the right mentality."

The Atalanta forward will face his friend Mateo Scalvini in defence and praised the Italian's adaptation to a back four after previously playing in a three-man defence. De Ketelaere also reflected on his role differences between club and country, noting he plays more as a pure striker for Belgium compared to his wider position at Atalanta.