Mancini Reacts to Italy's Loss Against Belgium: "Boos Are Understandable. I'm Happy With the Second Half."

Roberto Mancini's return as coach began with a defeat, as Italy fell 2-0 to Belgium in their opening Nations League match. The Azzurri showed contrasting performances, struggling in the first half against Van Bommel's side and conceding an early goal to Godts. In the second half, Italy showed more dominance and control of the game, but it wasn't enough. At Italy's strongest moment, Lukebakio sealed the 2-0 victory.

Speaking to Rai after the match, Mancini analyzed the game. "Belgium played better in the first half, we were in difficulty," he stated. "In the second half, we could have equalized, but we conceded the second goal from a mistake."

Mancini: "First Half Below Expectations, But Not the Second."

Mancini added, "The first half was below expectations, but the second wasn't. The team did very well until the counter-attack that led to the second goal. We had five or six chances to equalize. When you lose, nobody is happy. The boos? They are understandable when you lose."

Mancini: "We Shouldn't Force Play When There's No Space."

In his press conference, Mancini continued his analysis. "There were definitely thoughts of the past. We played against a strong team that caused us problems in the first half. We weren't compact, we gave them too much space, and they played better. In the second half, for twenty-five minutes, we played well, created chances, and won back many second balls. On the second goal, we left too much open space, and that was the end of it. We need to build on the good things we saw in the first twenty-five minutes of the second half; we were very aggressive, winning back all the second balls and conceding nothing. We shouldn't force play when there's no space."

Mancini on Pio Esposito's Role: "60 Minutes Aren't Enough to Judge If He's the Best Solution."

Regarding Pio Esposito leading the attack, Mancini commented, "It's the first time we've played like this, with Kean and Cambiaghi on the wings. At Inter, it's certainly different because Esposito plays differently. Anyway, sixty minutes are not enough to evaluate if he's the best solution." On the emotional toll of three missed World Cup qualifications, he said, "It weighs a bit, but we have to let it go. We can't dwell on what happened; we need to think positively and not always about the past because it can't be changed."