Rome greeted Italy’s attempted reset with silence, then applause, and finally whistles. Roberto Mancini’s return to the Azzurra bench ended in a 2-0 Nations League defeat to Mark van Bommel’s Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico, where the home side again struggled to give its supporters a result after missing out on the World Cup.
Before kick-off, the stadium observed a minute’s silence for Franco Baresi and Sandro Mazzola, two recently deceased figures of Italian football. The tribute concluded with a united ovation, but the mood shifted sharply once Belgium took control of the contest.
Quick facts
- Belgium won 2-0 against Italy in Rome.
- Mika Godts scored the opening goal in the 20th minute.
- Substitute Dodi Lukebakio sealed the result on 60 minutes.
- Roberto Mancini and Mark van Bommel were both beginning new spells with their national teams.
- Belgium collected its first three points of the new Nations League campaign.
Belgium made the more assured opening. Kevin De Bruyne released Charles De Ketelaere with a precise through ball in the seventh minute, though the forward could not beat Lammens in the Belgian goal.
The visitors did find their breakthrough 13 minutes later. Godts cut in from a diagonal run, evaded a cluster of Italian defenders and placed his finish beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma.
Italy might have been further behind shortly afterwards, only for Donnarumma to produce two saves in quick succession. The hosts offered little before half-time and were met by audible disapproval from the Olimpico stands as they headed into the interval.
Mancini’s side returned with greater urgency. Within a minute of the restart, Moise Kean met a low delivery from close range, but Lammens spread himself well to keep out the attempted equaliser.
Italy continued to press and the Belgian goalkeeper repeatedly preserved the lead. Yet during Belgium’s most difficult spell, Lukebakio arrived from the bench to settle the night, driving a measured shot from outside the penalty area into the net.
The second goal ended Italy’s momentum and ensured Belgium opened this Nations League edition with victory. For the Azzurra, the final whistle brought another round of whistles in Rome, leaving Mancini’s new chapter with an immediately difficult first page.
