Italia v Belgium 0–2: Mancini’s campaign gets off to a difficult start
Goals from Godts and Lukebakio seal the win; Italia booed
Belgium dominated the first half, creating at least four or five chances in addition to Godts’ goal, before Italia fought back in the second half, only for Lukebakio’s second goal to dash the Azzurri’s hopes. It ended 2–0 at the Olimpico for the Red Devils, who secured a well-deserved victory on the opening day of the Nations League. Italy, after a difficult start, tried to fight back in the second half, but it wasn’t enough. At the final whistle, there were also a few sparks between Donnarumma and Lukaku.
Belgium got off to a strong start and immediately put the Azzurri under pressure. De Bruyne directed play with flair, whilst Godts and De Ketelaere consistently found space. It was De Ketelaere who tested Donnarumma with a diagonal shot, before Godts broke the deadlock after rounding Mancini and Coppola and firing in an unstoppable low shot. The Azzurri struggled to build up play and were saved on several occasions by their goalkeeper, who was also decisive in denying shots from De Ketelaere and Raskin, and then again from Godts.
Italia tried to fight back, but in the first half Belgium remained in control of the game and created the best chances. The Azzurri only managed to find some space through Kean and Cambiaghi, whilst Belgium continued to pose a threat. At half-time, the crowd at the Olimpico began to boo.
In the second half, Italia changed their approach and came out with greater intensity. Cambiaghi took centre stage on the left, and his crosses created the most dangerous chances: Kean was denied by Lammens, then Pio Esposito tested the Belgian goalkeeper again with a header and subsequently with a shot from close range.
Van Bommel takes remedial action by bringing on Lukebakio and Vanaken, whilst Mancini tries to change the set-up with Scalvini, Frattesi and Maldini. Italia, however, gradually lost their composure and, with the score at 2–0, Lukebakio capitalised on a counter-attack sparked by a mistake from Barella: De Ketelaere played him in on the right, the striker cut inside and beat Donnarumma with his left foot.
