Mancini's Comeback Faces First Test as Italy Host Belgium in Nations League
Italy welcome Belgium to Rome's Stadio Olimpico for a UEFA Nations League Group A1 fixture that marks Roberto Mancini's return as head coach and Mark van Bommel's debut in charge of Belgium.
What's happening
On Friday, September 25, Italy host Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in a UEFA Nations League Group A1 match. German official Daniel Siebert takes charge as referee, with Bastian Dankert serving as VAR. Both sides go into the game under new head coaches.
New management on both benches
Italy are led once again by Roberto Mancini, who first managed the national team from 2018 and guided it to Euro 2020 glory before abruptly stepping down in August 2023. According to Sports Illustrated, the federation had initially tasked Paolo Maldini with finding a successor, but preferred candidate Andrea Pirlo withdrew due to ties with a Russian betting company, prompting Maldini himself to resign as the FIGC's technical director. That process ultimately brought the federation back to Mancini. Belgium, meanwhile, are being led for the first time by Mark van Bommel, whose appointment, as Sports Illustrated notes, raised eyebrows given his mixed track record at club level.
Preparation and selection dilemmas
Mancini planned to confirm his starting line-up only on Friday morning, with the squad having had just two days together to prepare. He said two selection doubts remained unresolved, with Nicolo Zaniolo, Moise Kean and Nicolo Cambiaghi all competing for a spot on the flanks. Sandro Tonali arrived with a minor physical issue but, according to the coach, is now fit. "This is what international football is like, we have to get things done quickly and get results, that is the only medicine for what ails us," Mancini said, as quoted by Goal.com, adding that Italy's goal is to reach the Nations League Final Four.
Context and what's next
Belgium lost to reigning champions Spain in the World Cup quarterfinals over the summer. Sports Illustrated notes that Belgium have not beaten Italy in this fixture since 2015. Both teams also face Group A1 rivals France, now managed by Zinedine Zidane, and Türkiye, coached by Vincenzo Montella, with further matches scheduled for September 28, October 2 and October 5. In its betting preview, Betway lists Italy as favourites at odds of 11/10 to win, suggesting Mancini could quickly lift the team's form.
