Donadoni: Romano can’t save Italy at 20 — ‘What did we expect?’

PARMA, ITALY - AUGUST 22: Alessandro Romano of Cagliari Calcio celebrates after scoring his team's first goalduring the Serie A match between Parma Calcio and Cagliari Calcio at Stadio Ennio Tardini on August 22, 2026 in Parma, Italy. (Photo by Luca Amedeo Bizzarri/Getty Images)

Former Italy star and coach Roberto Donadoni defends Alessandro Romano: ‘If you think he can be the saviour of the nation, you are making the same mistakes as in the past.’

Cagliari talent Romano made his senior Italy debut on Friday against Belgium, but one of his two misplaced passes led to Belgium’s first-half opening goal.

Despite the criticism received after the game, Donadoni believes Roberto Mancini should continue relying on the 20-year-old midfielder.

Donadoni: Italy must ‘build around’ Romano

“He’s a very promising player, someone to invest in because he has a good head on his shoulders and undoubted qualities,” Donadoni told Gazzetta.

Romano, a former Roma academy player, joined Cagliari on a permanent transfer this summer and scored on his Serie A debut against Parma in August, helping Cagliari win 1-0.

“In just a few months, he has gone from Serie B to the national team, a reality that’s hard to compare,” Donadoni said.

“Young players need to adjust to the change of level. What did we expect from a 20-year-old?

“Romano is serious, committed, and eager to train and keen to prove his worth,” Donadoni, a former Italy coach, added.

“The starting point is excellent, and you have to build around a player like him, but if you think he can be the saviour of the nation or that young players can suddenly mature overnight, you are making the same mistakes as in the past.

“Elsewhere, they give talented players opportunities, but they are also patient with them. I’m not just talking about the coach, but about the entire environment surrounding the national team. Everyone, including clubs, fans, and public opinion, has to play their part. We need to give young players time to develop.”

Mancini’s Italy are now travelling to Turkey and will visit Vincenzo Montella’s side in Bursa tomorrow, Monday, September 28.

“They are two well-prepared coaches, and the fact that they are both Italian shows that our coaching tradition matters,” Donadoni said.

“Turkey did not do well at the World Cup, but they kept Montella because he showed that he has quality and because the federation has an important programme with him at its centre. That was the right decision.”

Italy, on the other hand, have failed to qualify for the World Cup three times in a row, and many of those who lost to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March are still part of the Azzurri squad.

“Mistakes and disappointments should make you stronger, not weaker. A professional must be able to handle difficult moments and respond to them,” concluded Donadoni.

“The players selected to wear the national team shirt are good enough and deserve to be there. I expect those who were in Zenica that night to forget what happened and, instead, use that disappointment as motivation to secure qualification for the next World Cup.