Mancini demands victory in Brussels to retain group lead

At the King Baudouin Stadium Italy face the Red Devils on Sunday, after the Azzurri beat France 3-1 on Thursday and now want to secure the group finish with a one‑point lead over Belgium. Coach Roberto Mancini has made it clear that he does not accept a points game and wants to keep his team under pressure.

Result and point lead

Italy beat France Thursday 3-1 and therefore sit comfortably ahead of Sunday’s match. Roberto Mancini wants to keep his players sharp and, with one matchday left, the Squadra Azzurra have one point more than Belgium.

Seeding and final task

A draw in Brussels on Sunday would be enough for Italy to qualify at the expense of the Red Devils for the Nations League quarter‑finals. Mancini said: “After the 0‑1 from France it could have been a demonstration on their part. I am especially pleased with the way we responded. We stayed calm and focused. In the end we fully deserved this victory. The score could even have risen higher. There are a huge amount of positive things to take away. But it is only positive to a certain extent, because now we have to go win in Belgium. The players want revenge for what happened and we will achieve our goals.”

Italy refuses a draw, wants to dominate Belgium in Brussels

Strictly speaking Italy do not need a win; a point draw in Brussels is sufficient to progress in the Nations League. Mancini, however, is not only focused on qualification, but also on winning the group, which is still within reach.

The difference between first and second place is limited to a seeding status in the draw for the quarter‑finals, which will be completed from 25 to 30 March 2027. For the Red Devils the task is clear: they must win on Sunday.

Mancini rejects the advantage, Belgium aims for the decisive draw