Mark van Bommel began his tenure as Belgium coach with a 2-0 victory over Roberto Mancini’s Italy in their UEFA Nations League opener at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
Mika Godts opened the scoring in the 20th minute before Dodi Lukebakio added a second after the break to give Belgium all three points.
The result also marked a winning start for Van Bommel, who took charge of Belgium for the first time in the competitive fixture. Mancini, meanwhile, was beginning his second spell as Italy manager after previously leading the Azzurri to the Euro 2020 title.
Belgium took the lead after Italy lost possession in their own half. Kevin De Bruyne played a pass into the path of Godts, who cut inside before firing past Gianluigi Donnarumma at the near post. Italy had opportunities to respond before the interval, but Belgium’s goalkeeper Senne Lammens made several important saves to keep his side ahead. Donnarumma was also forced into a number of interventions as Belgium threatened to extend their advantage.
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Italy improved after the restart and came close to equalising through Moise Kean and Francesco Pio Esposito. Lammens again denied the hosts before Belgium struck on the counter-attack. Lukebakio collected the ball inside his own half, carried it forward and cut inside before curling a left-footed shot into the far corner from outside the area in the 69th minute.
The goal effectively settled the contest despite further pressure from Italy. Giorgio Scalvini later struck the underside of the crossbar, but the hosts could not find a way past Lammens. Mancini had introduced Sporting midfielder Issa Doumbia and Nuremberg forward Mohamed Ali Zoma for their international debuts late in the game.
Mancini Calls For Focus to Be On The Future
After the defeat, Mancini said Italy needed to focus on the future rather than continually revisiting the team’s failure to qualify for the 2026 World Cup.
“We need to think positively and not keep banging on all the time about what has happened in the past,” Mancini said.
He also described the boos from the home supporters as “normal” and part of football.