Italy and Mancini look to surprise Belgium in Rome

Roberto Mancini has meticulously analyzed Belgium for the upcoming Nations League match, which will be played tomorrow, Friday 25 September 2026, at the Olympic Stadium in Rome, in front of a crowd of about 35,000 spectators.

Strategy and theatrical references

When opening Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, the coach quoted: “Men are, at certain moments, masters of their destiny; the blame, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in our weaknesses,” a line that, according to him, sums up the transition from the stage to the pitch.

During the training days at Coverciano, Mancini has sought the simplest and most effective strategy to stop Belgium, coached by Mark van Bommel, who will debut after signing a four‑year contract in July.

Call‑ups and expected line‑ups

Italy will line up a 4‑3‑4 with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal; the defence will include Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Coppola and Calafiori. In midfield will appear Barella, debutant Alessandro Romano and Tonali, while Zaniolo, Pio Esposito and Raspadori will complete the attack.

Van Bommel aims to dominate the Nations League against Italy

For their part, Belgium will field Koen Casteels; the defence will include Castagne, Debast, de Winter and De Cuyper. In midfield will play Lavia, Tielemans and Kevin De Bruyne, and the attack will bring together Godts, Romelu Lukaku and Bryan Openda. The absence of Doku, Onana, Meunier and Saelemaekers was confirmed due to fitness issues or non‑selection.

Alessandro Romano’s debut, a midfielder from Cagliari, will be notable: he has spent his entire career in the Swiss lower divisions before accepting the Azzurra’s call, the country of his parents’ birth.

Italy return to the Nations League after his first stint as manager in May 2018, when he beat Saudi Arabia. After leaving the post in August 2023 to coach Saudi Arabia, Mancini resumed the role in July under the presidency of Giovanni Malagò.

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The appointed referee will be Daniel Siebert of Germany, and the match will mark the start of the second phase of Mancini in charge of the Italian national team, with the aim of returning the Azzurra to a place of prestige over the next four years.