Andrea Innocenti Italy faces Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome in the Nations League, opening their path into Roberto Mancini 's second era . The match, scheduled for September 25, attracted just over 39,000 spectators, well below expectations for such a major event.
Beyond the footballing dynamics, the meeting became the focus of a heated political debate, with various right-wing figures expressing their opposition to the new president of the Italian Football Federation , Giovanni Malagò.
Political context: the crisis of Giovanni Malagò
Malagò, elected head of the FIGC three months ago with nearly 70% of the vote, finds himself at the center of growing hostility from some political parties.
Minister of Sport Andrea Abodi and Minister of Made in Italy Adolfo Urso were the only political representatives present at the stadium, a clear sign of a mass desertion by most of their colleagues. Tension also stems from the fear that a possible defeat for the Azzurri could fuel calls for the FIGC to be placed under special administration , already initiated by some representatives before the start of the match window.
Nations League Match: Italy vs. Belgium
Preview and lineups
At the previous press conference, Mancini stressed that the pressure will have to be a engine and not a brake. He opted for a 4-3-3 with Gianluigi Donnarumma in goal, defenders By LorenzoManciniCoppola e Calafiori. In midfield, StretcherRomano e Tonali they rotated, while the attack was entrusted to KeanPio Esposito e ChangeFor their part, Belgium has fielded the new coach Van Bommel with De Bruynetielemans e Lukaku in pink.
The result and the salient stages
The match began with Belgian dominance: Godts opened the scoring after twenty minutes, taking advantage of a disorganized Azzurri penalty area. Italy responded in the second half, creating chances through Cambiaghi and Kean , but the Belgian defense, led by De Bruyne, remained compact. The second goal came in the 69th minute, with Lukebakio sealing the score at 0-2. Donnarumma made two crucial saves, but it wasn't enough to change the outcome.
Consequences for the FIGC and for Mancini's future
The defeat, accompanied by boos from the crowd, has fueled criticism of Giovanni Malagò . His detractors, already ready to call for a new commissioner, see the loss as an opportunity to accelerate their agenda. On the other hand, Malagò's own supporters fear that a drastic decision could weaken the sport's autonomy. For Mancini, the next match against Turkey in Bursa becomes crucial: a victory could calm tensions, while further setbacks would increase pressure on both him and the FIGC leadership.