Mancini Faces Boos: "They're Justified". Di Lorenzo: "If They Immediately Start Hammering Us Again..."

The team's struggles, marked by the disaster in Zenica, continued with a defeat at the Olimpico. Roberto Mancini's Italy lost their first Nations League match against Belgium. Goals from Godts (20') and Lukebakio (69') decided the game, leaving Italian football in the same subdued state that the coach, European champion in 2021, has yet to overcome. Mancini's schedule now includes an away game against Vincenzo Montella's Turkey on September 28th. Turkey recently lost to Didier Deschamps' France, who will face Italy on October 2nd in Saint-Denis.

Mancini spoke after the match: "Belgium played better than us in the first half; they struggled in the second. We could have equalized, but then conceded from our own mistake. Was the performance lackluster? In the first half, yes; in the second, no. The team played very well until the counter-attack for the second goal. Belgium is an excellent team and played well. When you lose, you're not happy. The boos are justified."

Riccardo Calafiori also commented on the Olimpico performance: "At times, I saw a good team. We've only been working together for a few days, but I didn't like some phases. Obviously, I'm trying to see the positive side. If we struggle to keep possession? There's a lot of work ahead with a new coach, and we'll see." The former Bologna player addressed the verbal exchange between Gianluigi Donnarumma and Romelu Lukaku: "I didn't even see it. We're focused on working; these things happen. The boos? They hurt. At various moments, I also felt the stadium's support. We need to do better and move on to the next game."

Nicolò Cambiaghi added: "We didn't start very well; they had many chances in the first half. However, we improved and had clear opportunities but couldn't equalize, and their second goal broke us. We need to build on our second-half performance. We've only been working together for a short time. We conceded a lot, especially in the first half. They were well-positioned, and we struggled to find ways to be dangerous. The final boos? They hurt, but we have to move on. We have three more games, and there's no time to lose. We must focus on Monday."

Di Lorenzo: "Don't Hammer Us in the First Game"

Giovanni Di Lorenzo commented: "Leaving to boos is certainly not pleasant. We have to accept them, but the team tried to give its best. We wanted to start well, and we have other games to improve. We knew we were facing a great team with quality players who exploit every small mistake. We lost possession twice in midfield, allowing them to counter. The second goal came when we had pushed forward a bit; it's a shame, but we take positives from what we did. In the first half, even enthusiasm misled us, but we were up against a quality team that escaped our pressing."

"The coach wants us to be courageous. This is the first of six games, the first of four in these two weeks. We will improve from here on. I don't think it was a terrible game; there were moments when we did what the coach asked. The second goal broke us. A new cycle, the first game can be a mistake. If in the first match, we start hammering every player again, it's not good for the national team. We definitely want to do better. Some important results can boost self-confidence; we need to make other national teams fear us again. Kevin De Bruyne? Phenomenal, an important player with crucial quality. He had a great game tonight."