Roberto Mancini’s second tenure as head coach of the Italy national team commenced with a disappointing 2-0 home defeat against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico on September 25, 2026. The opening match of the 2026-27 Nations League campaign ended in frustration for the Azzurri, who now sit at the bottom of their group behind Belgium, France, and Turkiye following the first round of fixtures.
Goals from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio secured the win for the visitors. While Gianluigi Donnarumma was widely considered Italy’s strongest performer during the contest, his evening concluded on a volatile note. As the final whistle sounded, Belgium striker Romelu Lukaku gestured a ‘2-0’ sign toward the Italian supporters in the stands, followed by a shushing motion. This provocation prompted Donnarumma to confront the Belgian captain, requiring immediate intervention from officials and teammates to de-escalate the situation. Lukaku, who is Belgium’s all-time leading goalscorer, gestured ‘2-0’ towards the Italy supporters in the stands before raising his finger to his lips, appearing to shush the Azzurri supporters who were still inside the Stadio Olimpico. Requiring the referees and their teammates to intervene and separate them, this led Donnarumma to come over and confront Lukaku.
Match Reporting and Analysis
- Di Lorenzo reaction: Tearing Italy apart is not helpful after defeat.
- Nations League status: Italy ranks last in the group following the first round.
- Live coverage: Football Italia hosted a post-match LIVE show analyzing the 0-2 result.
- Media consensus: The performance was labeled a disaster for Mancini’s return.
- UEFA summary: Ex-Hertha BSC star Dodi Lukebakio was instrumental in the Belgian victory.
Fixture Details and Schedule
- VfL Bochum Women vs Werder Bremen Women: October 19:30.
- Chivas vs Querétaro: 04:37.
- Borussia Mönchengladbach Women vs Bayern Munich Women: Tomorrow, 18:30.
- Bayer Leverkusen Women vs Werder Bremen Women: 02/10/2026, 22:00.
- Stuttgarter Kickers vs Kickers Offenbach: 02/10/2026, 22:30.
- SV Sandhausen vs 1. FC K’Lautern II: 02/10/2026, 22:30.
- Veres Rivne vs Kudrivka: 03/10/2026, 15:30.
- H.-Freiberg vs TSV Steinbach: 03/10/2026, 17:30.
- Homburg vs Barockstadt Fulda-Lehnerz: 03/10/2026, 17:30.
- Hessen Kassel vs SSV Ulm: 03/10/2026, 17:30.
- Mainz 05 II vs Freiburg II: 03/10/2026, 17:30.
- Eintracht Trier vs Astoria Walldorf: 03/10/2026, 17:30.
- Aalen vs FSV Frankfurt: 03/10/2026, 17:30.
- Eintracht Frankfurt Women vs Bayern Munich Women: 03/10/2026, 21:25.
- Wolfsburg Women vs Hamburg Women: 04/10/2026, 17:15.
- VfB Stuttgart Women vs Union Berlin Women: 04/10/2026, 19:30.
- Gnistan vs Inter Turku: 07/10/2026, 21:30.
- HJK vs VPS: 08/10/2026, 20:30.
- KuPS vs Oulu: 08/10/2026, 21:30.
- Veres Rivne vs Shakhtar Donetsk: 09/10/2026, 18:00.
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