Belgium Defeat Italy 2-0 as Roberto Mancini’s Azzurri Return Ends in Disappointment

Roberto Mancini’s return to the Italy dugout ended with a 2-0 defeat as Belgium produced a disciplined performance at the Stadio Olimpico in the opening round of the UEFA Nations League.

Mika Godts opened the scoring in the first half before Dodi Lukebakio added a second after the break, giving Mark van Bommel a winning start as Belgium’s new head coach. 

Godts puts Belgium ahead in Rome

Italy started with some attacking intent, but Belgium quickly showed that they could cause problems in transition.

Gianluigi Donnarumma was forced into an early save to deny Charles De Ketelaere, while Italy came close at the other end through Moise Kean and Francesco Pio Esposito. 

Belgium eventually found the breakthrough in the 20th minute.

Kevin De Bruyne produced the decisive pass for Godts, who carried the ball into the area before cutting inside and finishing beyond Donnarumma. It was the young forward’s first senior international goal. 

Donnarumma then kept Italy in the contest with a series of important saves as Belgium threatened to extend their advantage before half-time. 

Italy improve after the break

Mancini’s team returned from the interval with considerably more urgency.

Senne Lammens denied Kean shortly after the restart, while Pio Esposito also came close as Italy began putting Belgium under sustained pressure. The hosts had opportunities to level the score but could not find the finishing touch. 

The pressure ultimately produced no reward, and Belgium punished Italy at the other end.

Lukebakio seals Belgium’s victory

Belgium doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Dodi Lukebakio drove forward from deep before cutting inside and curling a left-footed effort into the bottom corner.

The goal arrived during a period when Italy were pushing for an equaliser and gave Belgium a significant advantage for the final stages. 

Italy continued searching for a way back into the match. Riccardo Calafiori sent an effort wide, while Giorgio Scalvini came extremely close late on when his attempt struck the underside of the crossbar. 

Mancini’s second Italy spell begins with defeat

Mancini’s return comes after Italy failed to qualify for a third successive World Cup. The coach had previously guided the Azzurri to European Championship glory at Euro 2020 before leaving the national-team job in 2023. 

The manager had spoken before the match about building a new Italy and giving opportunities to younger players. His latest squad included nine players receiving their first call-up, reflecting the rebuilding process underway around the national team. 

After the defeat, Mancini acknowledged that Belgium had been better during the first half but said Italy improved significantly after the interval and created several chances before conceding the second goal. 

For Belgium, meanwhile, the result provided an encouraging beginning to Van Bommel’s tenure. The Red Devils now have an early Nations League victory to build on as the competition continues.