Calafiori: ‘Saw a good Italy side in fits and starts’ during 2-0 loss to Belgium | OneFootball

Riccardo Calafiori insists Italy ‘must try to look at the positive aspects’ after their 2-0 Nations League defeat to Belgium. ‘I saw a good team in fits and starts.’

It was not the start that the Nazionale wanted in the second Roberto Mancini era, as they were swept aside at the Stadio Olimpico by Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio, who waltzed through the defenders on both occasions after errors.

The best opportunities saw one big Senne Lammers save and Giorgio Scalvini thumping the crossbar from point-blank range.

Calafiori sees Italy promise

The Italy starting XI for the Nations League MD against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (@azzurri)

“I saw a good team in fits and starts. We’ve just started working with a new coach, but other areas I didn’t like, we left gaps and conceded two avoidable goals. We must try to look on the positive aspects,” Calafiori told RAI Sport.

“There is a lot of work to do, we’ve just started with a new coach, so we’ll see.”

There seemed to be some tension after the final whistle, which prompted yellow cards for Gianluigi Donnarumma and Romelu Lukaku.

“I didn’t really see, but these things happen on the field, we’ve got to move on.”

ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 25: Mika Godts of Belgium scores a opening goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on September 25, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images)

Italy were jeered off the pitch at the final whistle by the far from sold out crowd at the Stadio Olimpico, as patience has completely run out for the fans.

“They hurt, because at times I felt the passion of the crowd. We’ve got to do better, we all know that, starting from the next match,” concluded Calafiori.

This was the first time in his entire senior Italy career that Calafiori had played at left-back, the role he traditionally adopts for Arsenal.