Rome awaits an evening that carries more than the usual Nations League weight. At the Stadio Olimpico, Roberto Mancini begins another spell in charge of Italy with Belgium visiting at 20:45, a return to the Azzurri bench following his 2023 exit and the first step in a demanded rebuilding job.
Italy arrive with the memory of three consecutive missed World Cups still hanging over the national side. The failure has left a wound that goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma suggested has not truly been discussed inside the squad. He said the pain remained too raw to revisit beyond a brief mention, but stressed that the group must now look forward and create a stronger Italy with Mancini’s help.
The appointment gives Italy a familiar figure at a time when supporters want evidence that the team can again stand up to Europe’s leading nations. Belgium, with their own established names and a new test under Van Bommel, offer an immediate measure of the task.
A Belgian visit without Courtois
Belgium will make the journey to the capital without Thibaut Courtois. The goalkeeper has not joined Van Bommel’s squad for personal reasons, having indicated that he wished to sit out this international year, which includes the Nations League, before potentially returning for the Euro 2028 qualifying campaign if selected.
Romelu Lukaku is nevertheless expected to lead the Belgian attack, with Kevin De Bruyne operating behind him. Italy’s likely side places Donnarumma in goal and includes Sandro Tonali, Nicolò Barella and Davide Frattesi in midfield, while Francesco Pio Esposito and Giacomo Raspadori are among the anticipated attacking options.
- Italy: Donnarumma; Kayode, Mancini, Scalvini, Calafiori; Barella, Tonali, Frattesi; Inacio, P. Esposito, Raspadori.
- Belgium: Lammens; Castagne, De Winter, Theate, De Cuyper; Tielemans, Lavia; Lukebakio, De Bruyne, Godts; Lukaku.
Roberto Mancini will lead Italy, while Van Bommel takes charge of Belgium. Germany’s Daniel Siebert has been appointed referee for a night in Rome that begins a fresh chapter for the hosts, even if the shadows of recent qualification failures will take longer to leave.
