Two national teams begin again under new management this evening at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, as Italy faces Belgium in the opening match of the 2026–27 UEFA Nations League. Kick-off comes eight months after Italy failed to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, and both sides arrive with freshly appointed coaches trying to impose their ideas on squads assembled in just days.
Two coaches, shared problems
Mark van Bommel takes charge of Belgium for the first time, five weeks after his appointment on 15 August. The former Milan midfielder, who won one scudetto during his playing career in Italy, told reporters that the match represents a double challenge: dominate possession and win. Speaking at his pre-match press conference, he said: "This is a great challenge for us. We want to play important matches, like this one against Italy."
Van Bommel noted that Roberto Mancini faces the same task. Italy's coach returns for a second spell after Gennaro Gattuso stepped down following the failed World Cup qualification. "Mancini starts from zero like me," Van Bommel said, "and the Azzurri, after three failed qualifications, will want to do well."
Belgium has not beaten Italy since 2015. Van Bommel acknowledged that preparing in only three or four days is not simple, but he hopes to leave Rome with all three points.
Donnarumma: "Days were very hard"
Gianluigi Donnarumma, Italy's captain, confronted the World Cup failure directly. The goalkeeper referred to the playoff defeat in Zenica last March as a wound still fresh for the squad. "They were very hard days, it was a very long summer from Zenica," he told Sky. "But now we have to start again and bring the fans with us."
Mancini won Euro 2020 with Italy in his first stint. Donnarumma, who privately congratulated FIGC president Giovanni Malagò on the reappointment, said he hopes to repeat the history they made together. "With Mancini we have a great affection, for what we won and what we went through together," he said.
The Italy coach has close to finalized his starting eleven, with a couple of positions still to define. He has only had two genuine training sessions.
Romano poised for debut amid Swiss dispute
Alessandro Romano, a 20-year-old midfielder currently on loan at Cagliari from Roma, is expected to make his international debut. Born in Winterthur to Italian parents, he represented Switzerland at youth levels before switching allegiance — a decision FIFA approved on 9 September.
Romano described the choice as a decision from the heart. "I played in all the Swiss youth teams, then the call from Italy came and I chose with my heart," he said.
The Swiss Football Association is now considering seeking compensation, estimated between 100,000 and 160,000 Swiss francs (roughly €105,000 to €170,000). Romano was part of a development program called Footuro, which invests in young talent on the understanding they will continue their international careers with Switzerland.
Mancini urged caution about expectations. "He will be important for the national team's future," the coach said. "Young players can make mistakes. They need to be helped, without giving them too much responsibility."
Familiar faces on both sides
Belgium's squad includes six players who currently play in Serie A: De Winter and Moreira (both at Milan), Theate (Bologna), De Ketelaere (Atalanta), De Bruyne (Napoli), and Keita (Parma). Van Bommel praised Moreira as a likeable, versatile boy — everything a coach wants, adding it is only a matter of time before he starts regularly at Milan.
Romelu Lukaku, now at Fenerbahce in Turkey, needs time to return to his best form, according to Van Bommel. The striker is unlikely to start, leaving Charles De Ketelaere to lead the attack.
Belgium captain Youri Tielemans said the squad is strong and united despite few changes from the World Cup. "Our coach has been very clear, very direct," he said. "We have to show our character, the desire to never give up."
What changes for fans
Around 32,000 tickets have been sold for the match at Stadio Olimpico. UEFA has confirmed a minute of silence for Valentino Mazzola before kick-off, plus a moment of remembrance for Franco Baresi.
German referee Daniel Siebert will officiate, assisted by Jan Seidel and Rafael Foltyn, with Bastian Dankert and Pascal Muller operating VAR — all German officials.
Italy faces a demanding schedule in this international window: Belgium tonight, then a double-header against Turkey beginning with an away match in Bursa, followed by France under new coach Zinedine Zidane. Four matches in eleven days will force Mancini to rotate his squad.
Italy's likely formation is a 4-3-3, with Donnarumma in goal, a back four including Calafiori on the left, Barella and Tonali in midfield, and Moise Kean competing with Pio Esposito for the central striking role. Nicolo Zaniolo remains in Mancini's technical plans.
