Donadoni: Romano can’t save Italy at 20 — ‘What did we expect?’

Donadoni: Romano can’t save Italy at 20 — ‘What did we expect?’ Former Italy star and coach Roberto Donadoni defends Alessandro Romano: ‘If you think he can be the saviour of the nation, you are making the same mistakes as in the past.’ Cagliari talent Romano made his senior Italy debut on Friday against Belgium, but one of his two misplaced passes led to Belgium’s first-half opening goal. Despite the criticism received after the game, Donadoni believes Roberto Mancini should continue relying on the 20-year-old midfielder. Donadoni: Italy must ‘build around’ Romano “He’s a very promising player, someone to invest in because he has a good head on his shoulders and undoubted qualities,” Donadoni told Gazzetta. Romano, a former Roma academy player, joined Cagliari on a permanent transfer this summer and scored on his Serie A debut against Parma in August, helping Cagliari win 1-0. “In just a few months, he has gone from Serie B to the national team, a reality that’s hard to compare,” Donadoni said. “Young players need to adjust to the change of level. What did we expect from a 20-year-old? “Romano is serious, committed, and eager to train and keen to prove his worth,” Donadoni, a former Italy coach, added. “The starting point is excellent, and you have to build around a player like him, but if you think he can be the saviour of the nation or that young players can suddenly mature overnight, you are making the same mistakes as in the past. “Elsewhere, they give talented players opportunities, but they are also patient with them. I’m not just talking about the coach, but about the entire environment surrounding the national team. Everyone, including clubs, fans, and public opinion, has to play their part. We need to give young players time to develop.” Mancini’s Italy are now travelling to Turkey and will visit Vincenzo Montella’s side in Bursa tomorrow, Monday, September 28. 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). “They are two well-prepared coaches, and the fact that they are both Italian shows that our coaching tradition matters,” Donadoni said. “Turkey did not do well at the World Cup, but they kept Montella because he showed that he has quality and because the federation has an important programme with him at its centre. That was the right decision.” Italy, on the other hand, have failed to qualify for the World Cup three times in a row, and many of those who lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March are still part of the Azzurri squad. ZENICA, BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA – MARCH 31: Haris Tabakovic of Bosnia and Herzegovina scores his team’s equalizing goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Bosnia & Herzegovina and Italy at Stadion Bilino Polje on March 31, 2026 in Zenica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images) “Mistakes and disappointments should make you stronger, not weaker. A professional must be able to handle difficult moments and respond to them,” concluded Donadoni. “The players selected to wear the national team shirt are good enough and deserve to be there. I expect those who were in Zenica that night to forget what happened and, instead, use that disappointment as motivation to secure qualification for the next World Cup.