Mancini: ‘Italy first half below expectations, but better than Belgium in second’

Mancini: ‘Italy first half below expectations, but better than Belgium in second’ Roberto Mancini admits the first half was ‘below expectations,’ but insists Italy ‘did really well’ after the break in their 2-0 defeat to Belgium. ‘When you lose, you can get jeered.’ The returning hero of EURO 2020 was hoping for a stronger start to his second Azzurri era, but the Nations League is already an uphill struggle after this 2-0 home defeat to Belgium. Although there were some improvements in the second half, Dodi Lukebakio struck on the counter-attack after the Mika Godts opener. Mancini saw Italy game of two halves Roberto Mancini speaks to the media at a press conference at Coverciano ahead of the 2026 September-October international break, which will see Italy take on Belgium, Turkiye, France and Turkiye again in the Nations League. (Picture: Lorenzo Bettoni). “Belgium played better in the first half, we took the initiative in the second and could’ve equalised, but we conceded on a counter-attack 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.” ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 25: Alessandro Romano of Italy compete for the ball with kevin De Bruyne during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on September 25, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images) While the Nazionale was smarting from the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup when Mancini took over the first time, he is now inheriting a side traumatised by missing three consecutive editions of that tournament. That includes the fans, who jeered loudly both at half-time and again at the final whistle. ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 25: Nicolò Cambiaghi of Italy compete for the ball with Timothy Castagne during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on September 25, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images) “When we lose, nobody is happy. When you lose, you can get jeered,” confessed Mancini. Alessandro Romano was given his Italy debut in the starting XI after changing his allegiance from Switzerland, while Momo Zoma and Issa Doumbia were given their first senior appearances late on. In Nations League Group A, France secured a 1-0 win away to Turkiye, so Italy are bottom right now on goal difference.