Bergomi says Mancini’s old ideas keep Italy behind Serie A’s aggression

Under the floodlights of the Stadio Olimpico, the Italy side stood on a damp pitch as Belgium struck twice to seal a 2-0 home defeat in the opening UEFA Nations League match. The loss arrived on September 25, 2026, with the Azzurri’s hopes dimming before the first whistle. Beppe Bergomi, watching from the stands, could see the frustration on the faces of the Italian players.

Bergomi slams Mancini’s tactics

Beppe Bergomi, the 2022 World Cup winner, said Roberto Mancini’s ideas felt dated and out of touch with a changing Serie A. “We saw old ideas, none of what we’re seeing at Inter, Roma, Frosinone or Como,” he told Sky Sport Italia after the match. He added that Mancini had returned to the bench after walking away in 2023.

On paper Mancini set up a 4‑3‑3, yet the versatility of Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Nicolò Cambiaghi allowed a fluid shift to a 3‑5‑2 during different phases. Bergomi noted that Cambiaghi was the most incisive, taking opponents on and providing the assists for Kean and Pio Esposito. The formation change, however, did not translate into attacking fluency.

Barella emerged as the best midfielder, while Tonali tried to accompany the centre‑forward, Bergomi observed. Cambiaghi’s runs created chances, yet the defence struggled throughout the game. “We struggled a lot in defence,” Bergomi said, underscoring the imbalance between midfield creativity and defensive solidity.

Serie A’s aggressive evolution ignored

This season Serie A has not produced a single 0‑0 draw, with clubs such as Frosinone and Cagliari praised for aggressive, attacking football despite often fighting relegation. Roma, Como and Inter are celebrated for an entertaining approach that involves every player in the attack.

Bergomi expected the full‑back to push high and join the forwards, a hallmark of the league’s current tactics. “I expected something very different,” he said, pointing to the lack of the high‑pressing, forward‑moving full‑backs seen at Inter, Roma, Frosinone and Como. He believes Mancini’s side did not reflect those trends.

A photograph from the night, captioned ROME – SEPTEMBER 25 and ITALY – SEPTEMBER 25, shows Gianluca Mancini battling Youri Tielemans, while another captures Nicolò Cambiaghi duelling with Timothy Castagne, both at the Stadio Olimpico. The images illustrate the intensity of the UEFA Nations League clash in Rome.

Bergomi concluded that Italy must adapt quickly if it wishes to the innovative approaches flourishing across Serie A. The criticism highlights a broader debate about whether the national team can evolve alongside the league’s evolving tactics.