Donnarumma explodes at Lukaku after Italy's defeat in Rome
While Italy suffered its first official defeat at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome since May 1953, captains Gianluigi Donnarumma and Romelu Lukaku found themselves at the centre of an altercation that earned each of them a warning from the referee at the end of the match.
Belgium beat Italy 0-2 in the Nations League, thanks to a goal from Godts in the 20th minute and one from Lukebakio in the 69th. This defeat marks Italy's first loss at the stadium since May 1953 and constitutes Roberto Mancini's official debut at the helm of the Squadra Azzurra.
Italy lined up in a 4-3-3 with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, followed by Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Coppola (substituted in the 20th minute by Scalvini) and Calafiori. In midfield, Barella (substituted in the 34th by Doumbia), Romano (substituted in the 20th by Frattesi) and Tonali. Up front, Kean, Pio Esposito (substituted in the 20th by Maldini) and Cambiaghi (substituted in the 34th by Zoma). Belgium, under the direction of Mark van Bommel, started with Lammens, Castagne, Ngoy, Mechele, De Cuyper, Tielemans, Raskin, Diego Moreira (substituted in the 13th by Lukebakio), De Bruyne (substituted in the 13th by Vanaken), Godts (substituted in the 37th by Fernandez‑Pardo) and De Ketelaere (substituted in the 37th by Lukaku).
The atmosphere was electric, Italian supporters booed the Belgian from the warm‑up, while the Belgian squad was described as attractive. The evening already had the feel of a snub for trans‑Alpine football even before the final whistle.
A historic defeat for Italy
The first half was dominated by Belgium, which created at least four or five chances, according to reports. The newspaper highlighted that Roberto Mancini's plan had been “torn to shreds” by the Red Devils.
Mancini disappointed, Belgium imposes its game on Italy
Il Corriere dello Sport reminded that Italy still carries the weight of three World Cup eliminations and a lingering sense of failure, which made the defeat even more bitter for the Azzurri.
Tensions between the captains
At the end of the match, Gianluigi Donnarumma, who came on in the 84th minute, left his area to confront Romelu Lukaku, who also entered in the 84th minute. German referee Daniel Siebert brandished a yellow card to each to calm the situation.
Before the clash, Lukaku first placed his index finger on his mouth to demand silence, then flashed his fingers to remind of the 2‑0 score, provoking Donnarumma's furious reaction. The tifosi then booed the Belgian, labeling him a provocateur.
Mancini blames Italy's passivity against Belgium
The Italian newspaper concluded that the new era under Mancini was “bitter”, that the road to redemption would be long and that the inability to control his nerves would remain the main obstacle for the Squadra Azzurra.