Italy vs Belgium: Mancini Returns With Pio Esposito Start
Opened with Roberto Mancini’s second spell in charge, a senior debut for Alessandro Romano and Francesco Pio Esposito leading the attack in Rome. Belgium…
ROME — Italy vs Belgium brought Roberto Mancini’s second stint in charge of the Azzurri into sharp focus on Thursday, with Francesco Pio Esposito leading the attack and Alessandro Romano set for his senior debut at the Stadio Olimpico. The match kicked off at 20:45 CET, with Italy trying to settle quickly in a Nations League game that already carried selection questions and plenty of pressure.
The hosts had a familiar problem before kickoff: Alessandro Bastoni was suspended, while Giorgio Scalvini was available on the bench after not training with the rest of the squad on Tuesday. Belgium, meanwhile, arrived with enough threat to make the first hour matter. Kevin De Bruyne was already dictating from the right, whipping in crosses and finding pockets of space that asked real questions of the Italian back line.
Italy vs Belgium and Mancini’s early selection call
Mancini’s team sheet offered a clear clue about where he wants to go next. Romano, the Cagliari midfielder, was given his senior Italy debut, while Pio Esposito was handed the lead role up front. The 21-year-old Inter striker had scored five goals in nine international appearances before this game, a record that explains why the attack was built around him.
In central defense, Mancini was expected to turn to Gianluca Mancini and Diego Coppola with Bastoni missing. It was a practical response, not a flashy one. But it told its own story. Italy needed stability first.
One short chance. Then another.
That tension showed in the opening phase. Belgium looked the stronger side early, and De Bruyne’s delivery caused constant discomfort. De Ketelaere could not quite reach one dangerous cross, but the pattern was obvious: Belgium were getting the better positions and making Italy work for every clearance.
Italy vs Belgium chance swings at both ends
Italy had their moments too. Pio Esposito hit the post after Barella found space and lifted a precise ball over the top, with the striker breaking the offside trap and shooting in one fluid movement. The effort came close to catching Belgium goalkeeper Lammens cold at the near post, but the ball bounced away off the woodwork.
Gianluigi Donnarumma then produced a huge save to deny De Ketelaere. De Bruyne found the Atalanta forward with a pinpoint pass and the shot went across goal, only for Donnarumma to stretch out his left hand and claw it away. It was the sort of stop that can change the mood of a match in seconds.
For Italy, the stakes in Italy vs Belgium are straightforward. Mancini’s return is being judged not only on results, but on how quickly he can settle the team around younger faces such as Romano and Pio Esposito. For Belgium, De Bruyne’s control in advanced areas and the chances they created early suggested they were ready to test that rebuild from the opening whistle.
Romano’s debut, Pio Esposito’s post, and Donnarumma’s save all arrived before the match had even settled into a rhythm. The first-half narrative was already clear in Rome.
Source: bbc.com
