The Albany Gazette - Mancini's Italy return spoiled by Belgium defeat

Mika Godts marked his first competitive cap with a fine individual goal at the Stadio Olimpico before Dodi Lukebakio's powerful strike put the visitors out of sight after the break.

It was an encouraging start for new Belgium coach Mark van Bommel, who succeeded Rudi Garcia following the Red Devils' run to the World Cup quarter-finals in the summer to take his first step into international management.

But it was another night to forget for Italy, who re-appointed Euro 2020 winner Mancini in the wake of a play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina that marked a third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.

Tens of thousands of seats were left empty at the Olimpico but the home crowd jeered loudly at the full-time whistle after a performance that underlined how much work lies ahead to turn around the flagging fortunes of the four-time world champions.

Although Mancini picked a largely familiar starting XI, he sprinkled in some new faces too. Playmaker Alessandro Romano made his debut, having recently switched international allegiances from Switzerland, while Nicolo Cambiaghi made his full debut and Diego Coppola started for the national team for only the second time.

Van Bommel's first selection as Belgium coach included a 125th cap for Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne, while Godts earned just his third after missing out on the World Cup.

Charles De Ketelaere drew a reaction save from Gianluigi Donnarumma early on in a sign of things to come, with the home crowd's excitement at Pio Esposito hitting the post soon dampened by the offside flag.

- Busy night for Donnarumma -

A loose pass from 20-year-old Romano led to the opener in the 20th minute, allowing Belgium to launch a counter-attack that Godts finished clinically by cutting inside past two defenders before firing home.

The goal threatened to open the Italian floodgates as Donnarumma held back waves of Belgian attacks, producing a superb double save to deny De Ketelaere and Nicolas Raskin before a one-handed stop kept out a Godts effort.

Mancini's men held out and almost pulled one back when Moise Kean prodded a finish into the side netting from a brilliant Cambiaghi cross, but Belgium finished the half on the front foot again and loud boos from the home crowd greeted the half-time whistle.

Italy came out strongly after the break as Senne Lammens produced heroics to protect Belgium's lead, sticking out a foot to block Kean's powerful drive before parrying an Esposito effort from close range.

But they were caught out on the break again when substitute Lukebakio surged into space and fired an unstoppable effort into the bottom corner from 25 yards midway through the second half.

Italy's night in front of goal was summed up three minutes from time when substitute Giorgio Scalvini managed to scoop a shot over the bar from two yards out.

Next up for Italy is a trip to Turkey, who lost their opening game 1-0 to France, on Monday. Belgium host the French on the same day.

(T.Brown--TAG)