Overview
- Italy lost 2-0 to Belgium at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico on Friday, with Mika Godts scoring in the 20th minute and Dodi Lukebakio adding a second early in the second half.
- Roberto Mancini made his competitive return as Italy coach but his side produced costly errors in midfield and defence, including a misplaced pass from debutant Alessandro Romano that led to the opener.
- Selection and availability problems shaped the match as Italy were without Alessandro Bastoni through suspension and several senior players through injury, forcing Mancini to field a mixed and partly inexperienced XI.
- Home supporters booed at half-time and full-time and the crowd was well below capacity, underlining growing public frustration after Italy’s recent World Cup qualification failures.
- Belgium began Mark van Bommel’s reign positively, while Italy now face two immediate Nations League tests away to Turkiye and France that will shape whether this is an isolated setback or a deeper crisis.