Football Italia reports that Roberto Mancini’s second spell in charge of Italy opened with a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium in the Nations League, a result that left the Azzurri bottom of their group after the first round of fixtures.
The goals came from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio, while the atmosphere at the Stadio Olimpico was described as hostile, with boos heard as Italy struggled to build any sustained response.
The report says Italian newspapers delivered a severe verdict the next morning, criticising Italy for tactical confusion, errors leading to goals and a lack of identity in what should have been the start of a new cycle.
What remains unconfirmed
- The exact long-term impact of the result on Mancini’s position is not stated.