Buongiorno proud of Italy ‘spirit’ after neutralising Lukaku | OneFootball

Alessandro Buongiorno believes Italy’s success in a very tough Nations League group shows they ‘have spirit, are united and can handle pressure’ after neutralising Romelu Lukaku’s Belgium.

The Napoli defender was brought in to replace injured Riccardo Calafiori and mark his club teammate Lukaku at the King Baudouin Stadium in Brussels this evening.

He performed well, keeping the striker relatively quiet save for a header glancing just wide, as Sandro Tonali’s early strike proved enough to give Italy the 1-0 away victory.

Buongiorno kept Lukaku quiet

Players of Italy pose for a family picture ahead of the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Belgium and Italy in Brussels, Belgium, 14 November 2024. EPA-EFE/OLIVIER MATTHYS

“We are happy that we kept a clean sheet, but it was all thanks to the team working to help out when defending,” Buongiorno told RAI Sport.

“We were united from start to finish and knew how to soak up pressure.”

The biggest chance for Belgium on the night was from defender Wout Faes, whose header on a set play clipped the upright.

They had only needed a point here to be sure of qualification for the Nations League quarter-finals, but got all three and now need just one point against France on Sunday at San Siro to top the group.

“Going through with a game to spare means we are a great team that has spirit, is united and can handle pressure,” continued Buongiorno.

“We just have to keep going like this, improve in the areas that need work, but maintain this spirit.”

Coach Luciano Spalletti said before the game that it was an advantage for Buongiorno to know Lukaku from being his teammate at club level.

“Marking Lukaku is always difficult, but we all helped each other out and the forwards gave us a big hand too. This allowed us to keep a clean sheet.”

It is an improvement, considering Italy had conceded goals in each other their last eight competitive matches.