Italy booed off after Belgium defeat exposes familiar failings for Mancini

Italy’s return to the Mancini era ends in Rome jeers

Italy’s first match since Roberto Mancini returned as head coach ended in a 2-0 Nations League defeat to Belgium, with the Azzurri booed off the pitch at the Stadio Olimpico.

Belgium made the stronger start and took control of the contest before half-time. Mika Godts opened the scoring, while Dodi Lukebakio added a second after the interval to preserve Belgium’s advantage despite a sustained Italian push.

“The first half was below expectations,” Mancini told RAI Sport. “Belgium played better in the first half, we took the initiative in the second and could’ve equalised, but we conceded on a counter-attack with our error. This is football.”

Italy improve but cannot find a way back

Italy created a more threatening performance after the break and finished with 1.5 expected goals, although only 0.3 came in the opening 45 minutes. Belgium generated 2.7 expected goals, with 2.5 of that total arriving before half-time.

Gianluigi Donnarumma made six saves to keep Italy in contention, but Senne Lammens matched that tally at the other end as Belgium held on. Mancini said his side had “four or five chances to equalise” and had pinned Belgium back before conceding the decisive goal on the counter-attack.

The result marked only the second time in the last 40 years that Italy have lost at home while conceding at least twice without scoring. The previous occasion was a 2-0 friendly defeat by Croatia in August 2006.

Calafiori calls for a response

Riccardo Calafiori acknowledged the reaction from the home supporters and said the team had to improve immediately, while also pointing to positive elements in the second half.

“They hurt, because at times I felt the passion of the crowd. We’ve got to do better, we all know that, starting from the next match,” Calafiori said.

The defender added that Italy had looked like “a good team in fits and starts” but had left gaps and conceded two avoidable goals. Italy, who have failed to qualify for the last three World Cups, now face pressure to turn their improved second-half display into a complete performance in their next fixture.