Italy crisis deepens as Belgium’s win stalls World Cup rebuild in Rome

Italy lost 2-0 at home to Belgium in the Nations League, extending a difficult run for the Azzurri after their March playoff defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina left them outside the World Cup. Roberto Mancini, back in charge of the national team three years after leaving for Saudi Arabia, oversaw a line-up that included eight players who had been regulars during World Cup qualifying. Belgium’s goals came from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio. The opener arrived about 20 minutes in when Kevin De Bruyne, making his 125th international appearance, set up Godts on the left; the Paris Saint-Germain recruit cut inside and finished past goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. Lukebakio doubled the lead in the second half with a long-range strike on a counterattack. The match also featured several notable personnel details. Godts’ goal exploited a defensive mismatch involving Gianluca Mancini and debutant Diego Coppola, who was covering for suspended centre-back Alessandro Bastoni. Italy’s midfield featured Alessandro Romano on his first appearance for Italy after switching allegiance from Switzerland; a poor pass from Romano helped start the move leading to the first goal. For Belgium it was a promising start under new coach Mark van Bommel, who took over after Rudi Garcia departed following the World Cup. Mancini, who steered Italy to the 2021 European Championship, returned to the role after resigning in August 2023 to take the Saudi Arabia job, but the loss will add to questions over Italy’s form and consistency. Italy’s Nations League schedule continues with an away match in Turkiye on Monday, followed by a trip to France next Friday and a home game against Turkiye in Bologna to close the first phase of fixtures.