Van Bommel's Belgium blueprint sinks Mancini's Italy

Four days into the job, Mark van Bommel watched his Belgium side dismantle Italy 2-0 in Rome.

Italy

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NS · UEFA Nations League

Belgium

What happened. Belgium beat Italy 2-0 in the Nations League group phase at the Stadio Olimpico, with Dodi Lukebakio scoring the second. It was Van Bommel's debut as Belgium coach and Roberto Mancini's return to the Italy bench after three years away.

• Van Bommel had been out of management for two years before taking the Belgium job.
• Goalkeeper Senne Lammens made big saves while the score was still 1-0.
• Belgium's dressing-room footage showed Van Bommel praising his squad's quick grasp of his ideas.

“After three to four days, we are trying to bring in an idea.”

— Mark van Bommel

Van Bommel says Belgium will only get stronger as they keep improving, while Mancini faces familiar questions over Italy's identity.

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