Roberto Mancini admitted Italy’s first-half display was “below expectations” after the Azzurri suffered a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium in the Nations League.
The returning EURO 2020 hero had hoped for a stronger beginning to his second spell in charge, but Italy now faces an uphill battle in the competition. Belgium was the better side before the break, while Italy improved significantly after half-time without finding an equaliser.
Mancini admits Italy fell short
Mancini acknowledged that Belgium had the upper hand during the opening 45 minutes but felt Italy responded well after the interval and created enough opportunities to get back into the match.
“Belgium played better in the first half; we took the initiative in the second and could’ve equalised, but we conceded on a counterattack with our error. This is football,” Mancini told RAI Sport.
“The first half was below expectations, as Belgium played better, but not the second half. The team did really well until that second goal; we had four or five chances to equalise, we pinned them back, but Belgium are a strong side.”
Italy suffers a 2-0 defeat to Belgium
Although Italy showed signs of improvement after the break, Belgium ultimately secured the victory. Dodi Lukebakio scored on the counter-attack after Mika Godts had opened the scoring, leaving Mancini’s side without a goal despite their second-half pressure.
The defeat leaves Italy at the bottom of Nations League Group A on goal difference after France recorded a 1-0 away victory over Turkiye.
Mancini’s return to the Azzurri dugout therefore began with a disappointing result, with Italy already facing a difficult challenge in the group.
Mancini responds to Italy’s jeers
The reaction from the supporters was also a difficult part of the evening, with Italy jeering both at half-time and again at the final whistle.
Mancini accepted that such a response can come with defeat, particularly given the disappointment surrounding the national team in recent years.
“When we lose, nobody is happy. When you lose, you can get jeered,” he said.
Italy handouts international debuts
There were also opportunities for new faces during the match. Alessandro Romano made his Italy debut in the starting XI after switching his allegiance from Switzerland.
Momo Zoma and Issa Doumbia were also handed their first senior appearances late in the game, adding further new international faces to Mancini’s squad.
Today’s Front Pages Saturday 26 September 2026: La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Tutto Sport
Today’s Front Pages 09/26/2026 – Sports Headlines Newspapers in Italy – Prime Pagine Quotidiani
✅ Greetings, my friends! I present to you the latest front pages from the Italian newspapers La Gazzetta dello Sport, Corriere dello Sport, and Tutto Sport, dated Saturday, 26 September 2026.
Today’s Front Page La Gazzetta dello Sport, Saturday, 26 September 2026
✅ Baku GP at 13:00: Antonelli 16th after his qualifying accident. Russell takes pole.
Kimi tries again.
A comeback is needed, like in Monza. Leclerc on the front row.
✅ Azzurri beaten by Belgium (0-2)
Ending amid boos
Italy 2 slaps
Nightmare start for the new national team
Super Donnarumma
Mancini: “We have to climb the Everest.”
✅ Turkey defeated (0-1)
Concerns for Mbappé: scores and injures himself.
A left knee injury is feared.
✅ Lazio on December 22
Inter
Saudi Arabia is out, the Super Cup at San Siro
✅ Financial violations
City
114 rules violated
Risk of penalties or relegation
✅ The Azzurro says no to the fourth consecutive tournament: “I’m not ready.” The No. 1 is now at risk
Sinner also misses Beijing: what’s going on?
Today’s Front Page Corriere dello Sport, Saturday, 26 September 2026
✅ Serie A: The schedule with early and late matches through matchday 19
✅ Nations League: Starts with a 0-2 defeat
Mancini’s second spell as coach
Turkey on Monday
Courage, Italy!
Italy is a work in progress, and Belgium doesn’t forgive
A difficult start with too many errors
Godts breaks the deadlock. In the second half, Kean and Pio almost equalize.
Then Lukebakio doubles the lead
Argument between Lukaku and Donnarumma
Roberto: “Poor in the first half. The boos at the Olimpico? They’re welcome”
Montella beaten 1-0 by Zidane.
✅ New attempts to sign the Sporting defender in January
Gonçalo Inácio awaits AC Milan
✅ Financial irregularities
City risks exclusion from the Premier League
114 violations confirmed. Three possible sanctions: extra-large fine, maximum penalty, or expulsion
✅ Today, we run in Baku (13)
Kimi, another miracle needed
Today’s Front Page Tutto Sport, Saturday, 26 September 2026
Front Page Tutto Sport, Saturday, 26 September 2026
✅ Italy – Belgium 0-2
Mancini, false restart: the new Course begins in the worst way
We’re still in Zenica
Not even the Euro 2020 coach can wake us from the nightmare
Van Bommel’s team dominates, Godts and Lukebakio punish us.
Little or nothing to save: the Olimpico whistles. In the end, Lukaku silences the crowd: an argument with Donnarumma. On Monday in Bursa, we face Turkey, defeated by Zidane’s new Franxia (0-1).
✅ Interview with Causio: “Gonzalez is a game-changer; he has something extra.”
“Nico, class and grit worthy of Juve.
The former Juventus ace: “At the end of training, I would sit down with Bettega and Anastasi and try crosses, Conceicao and Kolo did the same. With Carnevali and Massara, we’re in good hands.”
Douglas Luiz, contract renewal to spread his salary.
✅ Torino, the goalkeeper problem
Serno’s method to revive Perri
The preparatory training (tornado in Granata) The basis of Vanja’s progress: he’s trying again with the Brazilian
✅ Earthquake in the Premier League?
City now trembles
“114 violations.”
The club found guilty of almost all the alleged financial infractions. Risk of exclusion.
✅ F1 / Pole Russell in Baku (at 13)
At the block: Kimi furious
Leclerc gives hope
✅ Tennis / Over two-month layoff
Ouch, Sinner also misses Beijing
“The knee isn’t right.” Zverev could take the No. 1 spot from him. Bjk Cup: Azzurre face Ukraine in the semifinals today.
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Results 2026-27 Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16
🏆🇮🇹👉 Here’s what you need to know about the 2026–27 Coppa Italia Frecciarossa Round of 16! This marks the 80th edition of Italy’s premier domestic cup competition. The Lega Serie A has officially set the Round of 16 schedule from December 1, 2026, through January 26, 2027. Don’t miss out—grab your tickets now and catch all the exciting action!
Coppa Italia Format & Rules
✅ Single-leg ties: All Round of 16 matches are played as one-off games with no second leg.
✅ No extra time: When a match ends level after 90 minutes, teams immediately proceed to a penalty shootout to determine the winner.
✅ Top seeds enter: The eight highest-ranked teams from the previous Serie A season qualify directly into the Round of 16.
🏆👉 Belgium came away with a convincing 2-0 victory over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico during their opening Group A1 fixture in the 2026-27 UEFA Nations League on September 25, 2026. It was a disappointing result for Italy to mark their historic 900th match with a loss. To make matters worse for the Azzurri, the evening was capped off by an intense confrontation between goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and Belgium’s striker Romelu Lukaku.
I really thought Italy would put on a strong showing, but honestly, what we witnessed was pretty disappointing. Italy’s ongoing struggles are genuinely concerning. Playing on home turf at the Olimpico and failing to find the back of the net? That’s tough to swallow.
The honor goal never showed up. Italy made an effort in the second half, but unfortunately came up short. Ironically, both of Belgium’s goals were set up by players from Serie A! Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne provided the assist for Mika Godts’ opening goal. And Atalanta’s Charles De Ketelaere set up Dodi Lukébakio for the other one.
Before the action kicks off, the team paid tribute to legendary figures Sandro Mazzola and Franco Baresi. Roberto Mancini, back for his second stint as Italy’s Head Coach, sadly with a defeat.
Here’s what stood out from the Italian squad! Alessandro Romano, a 2006-born talent, made his exciting senior Italy debut. Pio Esposito and Moise Kean teamed up in the starting eleven. The Como striker positioned himself on the left wing of the attacking trio, while Cambiaghi held down the right flank. Romano stepped into the holding midfield spot for his debut, with Barella and Sandro Tonali providing support on either side. Since Bastoni was unavailable, Mancini and Coppola partnered up in central defense, with Di Lorenzo and Calafiori handling the full-back duties.
On the Belgian side, three Serie A regulars made appearances: Kevin De Bruyne, AC Milan’s new recruit Diego Moreira, and Atalanta’s De Ketelaere, who Van Bommel cleverly deployed as a false nine.
GROUP A1: RESULTS AND STANDINGS
Italy fell short against Belgium with a 0-2 defeat
Türkiye couldn’t find the back of the net in their 0-1 loss to France
Standings: Belgium and France are leading with 3 points each; Türkiye and Italy are still searching for their first points with 0
Mancini’s Return: The Sequel. His last official match was on June 18, 2023, and now, 1195 days later, Roberto Mancini is back on the Italy bench. The coach will lead the Azzurri in their Nations League debut against Belgium’s new squad under Van Bommel, in the opening match of Group A1, which also features Zidane’s France and Montella’s Turkey.
Belgium struck early with a stunning goal in the 20th minute! Mika Godts found the back of the net for @BelRedDevils, firing a right-footed strike from inside the box that sailed into the bottom left corner. The assist came from Napoli’s Kevin De Bruyne, who set up the chance perfectly after a swift counterattack. Things are already looking challenging for Italy as they face an uphill battle at the Olimpico…
🇮🇹👉 Italy 0 – 2 Belgium 🇧🇪
Dodi Lukébakio netted a stunning goal in the 69th minute for @BelRedDevils, striking a left-footed effort from well outside the penalty area into the bottom left corner. The assist came from @Atalanta_BC’s Charles De Ketelaere, who capitalized on a rapid counterattack. Things are looking pretty tough for the Azzurri right now.
#ITABEL #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro
Moise Kean in action against Belgium
Get ready for an exciting showdown! The Olimpico di Roma Stadium is all set to host the thrilling Italy vs Belgium match!
The Italian squad is making their way into the iconic Olimpico di Roma Stadium.
Italy’s official starting lineup against Belgium
UEFA Nations League
Group A
Italy 0 – 2 Belgium
Friday, 25 September 2026
Olimpico di Roma Stadium
Rome, Italy
20:45
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Sascha Stegemann GER
VAR: Bastian Dankert GER
AVAR: Pascal Müller GER
Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO
Italy vs Belgium Official Starting Lineups, Friday 25 September 2026, UEFA Nations League
Here’s the official starting lineup for Italy versus Belgium in the UEFA Nations League match happening Friday, 25 September 2026 at the Olimpico di Roma Stadium in Rome, Italy at 20:45. The match will also mark Mark Van Bommel’s debut as manager of the Red Devils.
🇮🇹👉 Lineup ITALIA (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Coppola, Calafiori; Tonali, Romano, Barella; Kean, Esposito, Cambiaghi.
The Italian squad is making their way into the iconic Olimpico di Roma Stadium.
Italy’s official starting lineup against Belgium
Italy – Belgium
Friday, 25 September 2026
Olimpico di Roma Stadium
Rome, Italy
20:45
Referee: Daniel Siebert GER
Assistant Referee 1: Jan Seidel GER
Assistant Referee 2: Rafael Foltyn GER
Fourth Official: Sascha Stegemann GER
VAR: Bastian Dankert GER
AVAR: Pascal Müller GER
Referee Observer: Hugh Dallas SCO
By Anna Italia
San Siro Stadium (Stadio Giuseppe Meazza)
