Van Bommel praises flying start, but points to empty pipes

In the press room of the Stadio Olimpico around midnight, the exuberant reaction of the Italian national team coach Roberto Mancini clashed with the calm satisfaction of Mark van Bommel about his debut. While Mancini had to explain a weak opening dance, Van Bommel praised the flying start of his team. The contrast underscores the different expectations after the first half.

Positive first half

"I am 100% satisfied with the win," the Dutchman said after the match. He continued: "Look, I started on Monday by demanding willingness and intensity. I have seen that foundation and we have worked for a few more days on our playing style. In the first half we had control, gave away little and created a few chances."

Mark van Bommel emphasized that the first half in Rome was extremely promising. "The distances between the players were still right, but we could no longer press at the right moments," he later noted, after which he mentioned a beautiful counter‑attack with a goal.

Work points after the break

After the break the pressure from the Devils eased, something Van Bommel found logical. "That it was less after the break? That's somehow logical," he said, referring to the reduced intensity. He indicated that Italy kept breaking out and that Senne Lammens took a crucial ball.

Godts in starting XI, Lammens shines in Rome under Mark van Bommel

Many players had made a transfer and did not always play ninety minutes at their club, which made the second half less dynamic. "You could see that the pipes were empty at a certain point," Van Bommel explained about the reduced energy.

Van Bommel also praised Godts: "I told him at the start of this week that if his first six actions fail, he must do the seventh again. That is his quality." He thought it was nice that Godts now brings threat on the pitch.

In a light‑hearted final question about the best action he mentioned the goal of Godts, Lukebakio and the assist of his son as equally beautiful. "All three were very beautiful," the national team coach concluded diplomatically in Rome.

Dream debut: Van Bommel thanks Godts after historic win over Italy

The overview lists Football, Tennis, Formula and other sports, and also includes Programme, Jupiler, Pro, League, Challenger, Champions, Europa, Conference and More. This Article is part of the Nations League coverage, and Mark van Bommel remains optimistic about further development.