Mancini: ‘Italy will learn from this, but Belgium were better on the night’

BRUSSELS, BELGIUM - NOVEMBER 15: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy, sings the national anthem before during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Belgium and Italy at King Baudouin Stadium on November 15, 2026 in Brussels, Belgium. (Photo by Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images)

Roberto Mancini admits Belgium ‘were better on the night’ to beat Italy 4-1, but believes it can ‘help us going forward’ in the growth process.

The Azzurri went into Brussels knowing a point would suffice to qualify for the Nations League quarter-finals, and had the perfect start when taking the lead through Francesco Pio Esposito.

However, they were trailing 3-1 within 15 minutes as Maxim De Cuyper, Nathan Ngoy and Jeremy Doku turned it all around.

Although Pio Esposito saw his late penalty parried by Senne Lammens, the Red Devils added a fourth on the counter-attack through Milan winger Diego Moreira.

Mancini admits Italy had bad night

“They were better, we suffered too much on a physical level, in one on one situations. We started well, but they were better on the night,” Mancini told RAI Sport.

“When the ball got to the wings, we struggled to have the right pressing, they caused us problems, we felt some fatigue from the France match, but they deserved the victory, there’s nothing more to say.”

Considering Italy had lost the first match 2-0 at home to Belgium on September 25 and they went into Matchday 6 top of the group, it was still a remarkable Nations League run with plenty to build on going forward.

“These nights can happen in the growth process, you need to learn from these experiences. Considering the way we got here, we had the chance to qualify, but we knew it would be tough, as Belgium are a strong team,” added Mancini.

“We are sad, but this night will help us going forward.”

Gianluigi Donnarumma was booked and will therefore be suspended for the next Italy match, but it won’t be in the Nations League quarter-finals.

Instead, France go through as group winners, with Belgium in second place.