Shaun Maloney's role at Belgium as the Red Devils eye Euro 2020 glory

Shaun Maloney will be Roberto Martinez's right-hand man on Friday as Belgium look to book their place in the semi-final at Euro 2020 with a win over Italy.

Martinez and Roberto Mancini go head-to-head in the technical area for the first time since Ben Watson's header sealed a famous 1-0 win for Wigan over Manchester City in 2013.

Friday sees the two managers of respective countries battle it out looking to be in the last four of the Championships.

Belgium's golden generation wasn't quite at full tilt during their 1-0 win over Portugal in the Round of 16 but with the firepower in their arsenal, they will be hoping to reach successive semi-finals at a major tournament.

Three years ago, they had their dreams shattered as Samuel Umtiti's second-half goal was enough to book France's spot in the final.

This time around, Martinez will look to galvanise a similar spirit to Wigan's heroics of eight years ago if Belgium are to reach the last four and beyond, with Maloney's experience as one of the star men from the final at Wembley a helpful source.

Maloney, 38, has been amongst Belgium's staff since 2018 after he left his position at Celtic to pursue his coaching career with the Red Devils on a full-time basis.

Martinez will be hoping that his side live up to their top seeding as the number one ranked FIFA side as they look to destroy the hopes of the Italians.

Italy emerged as tournament favourites after successive 3-0 wins over Turkey, Switzerland and Wales to top Group A. It wasn't so smooth in the last round against Austria and it would've been a different story had Marko Arnautovic not been marginally offside after his header momentarily put them in front.

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The Italians have utilised their strength in depth as, when the forwards aren't firing, those lying in wait are just as dangerous, as was shown during the extra-time win at Wembley last weekend, when substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina sealed the victory with two superb finishes.

Maloney remains the last Scot standing in the tournament as the Belgians eye a maiden major tournament hoping to go one better from the runners-up of the 1988 European Championships.

He told BBC Sport : "The level of player is high, so I don't see it as pressure. I just feel like it's a motivating factor that we have players at such an elite level. I want to deliver something that is at that level. That's what drives me on.

"It sounds easy to say, but I just assist Roberto on the pitch. The main tactical part of the session will be led by Roberto and there'll be different technical things before or after it that I will take or will jointly take.

"I'd say 60% of a session will be Roberto. He'll lead the tactical stuff and the rest of it will be taken by myself and a few others."

"Everybody talks about Kevin and Eden and Romelu and the attacking players, but we have outstanding defenders, big personalities, and we'll need them," he adds. "Nobody ever won anything by just having the best forwards. It's an all-round team you need."

Maloney isn't the only ex-Premier League player amongst Martinez's backroom staff, as Arsenal's all-time leading goalscorer Thierry Henry is assistant manager.