Roberto Mancini admits the first half was ‘below expectations,’ but insists Italy ‘did really well’ after the break in their 2-0 defeat to Belgium. ‘When you lose, you can get jeered.’ The returning hero of EURO 2020 was hoping for a stronger start to his second Azzurri era, but the Nations League is already an uphill struggle after this 2-0 home defeat to Belgium. Although there were some improvements in the second half, Dodi Lukebakio struck on the counter-attack after the Mika Godts opener. “Belgium played better in the first half, we took the initiative in the second and could’ve equalised, but we conceded on a counter-attack with our error. This is football,” Mancini told RAI Sport. “The first half was below expectations, as Belgium played better, but not the second half. The team did really well until that second goal, we had four or five chances to equalise, we pinned them back, but Belgium are a strong side.” While the Nazionale was smarting from the failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup when Mancini took over the first time, he is now inheriting a side traumatised by missing three consecutive editions of that tournament. That includes the fans, who jeered loudly both at half-time and again at the final whistle. “When we lose, nobody is happy. When you lose, you can get jeered,” confessed Mancini. Alessandro Romano was given his Italy debut in the starting XI after changing his allegiance from Switzerland, while Momo Zoma and Issa Doumbia were given their first senior appearances late on. In Nations League Group A, France secured a 1-0 win away to Turkiye, so Italy are bottom right now on goal difference. Yes they were better in the second half until Mancini changed those 3 players then it all went wrong. The defence is so lacking. The first goal was too easy for Belgium. The second goal they got caught pinching up. Lots of work to do. The line up was wrong. scrap 4 3 3 formation and use either 4 3 2 1 or a 4 2 3 1 or even 3 5 2. Di Lorenzo has to go. They play with no intensity. Italians pass the ball a lot and try to play the slow game. If you want to play like that you need to use a formation that has more bodies in the middle. Mancini was a bad choice for coach. Nothing will change if they leave all the young talent on the bench. Barella i have tons of respect for but he gets pushed off the ball because he is to small. The line up is not wrong, the coach is not wrong, the tactical formation is not wrong. The players are just not good enough. You are not going to win a match against a decent side with probably the slowest most un athletic center backs I’ve ever seen. Yes they are slow, but hey, what “experience” they have!!! And that’s what valued in Italy. Players that are 24, like Vargara, are still considered “too young” so they don’t start. Vargara is fast and has energy. He should have played on the right not Kean, and then he could have brought Kean on at 60 minutes. An Italian team that can’t defend. That is unbelievable to me. Should have hired Conte. go and be grateful that you guys just got booed if not they could throw rotten eggs and tomatoes at you guys ! till di lorenzo and mancini and cristante are in the team you will get nowhere !