Mika Godts marked his first competitive cap with a fine individual goal at the Stadio Olimpico before Dodi Lukebakio's powerful strike put the visitors out of sight after the break.
UEFA Nations League
Mancini's Italy return spoiled by Belgium defeat
Roberto Mancini's second debut as Italy head coach ended with a barrage of boos in Rome on Friday as the Azzurri began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Belgium.… Show More
Roberto Mancini's second debut as Italy head coach ended with a barrage of boos in Rome on Friday as the Azzurri began their UEFA Nations League campaign with a 2-0 defeat to Belgium.
It was an encouraging start for new Belgium coach Mark van Bommel, who succeeded Rudi Garcia following the Red Devils' run to the World Cup quarter-finals in the summer to take his first step into international management.
But it was another night to forget for Italy, who re-appointed Euro 2020 winner Mancini in the wake of a play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina that marked a third consecutive failure to qualify for the World Cup.
Tens of thousands of seats were left empty at the Olimpico but the home crowd jeered loudly at the full-time whistle after a performance that underlined how much work lies ahead to turn around the flagging fortunes of the four-time world champions.
Although Mancini picked a largely familiar starting XI, he sprinkled in some new faces too. Playmaker Alessandro Romano made his debut, having recently switched international allegiances from Switzerland, while Nicolo Cambiaghi made his full debut and Diego Coppola started for the national team for only the second time.
Van Bommel's first selection as Belgium coach included a 125th cap for Napoli's Kevin De Bruyne, while Godts earned just his third after missing out on the World Cup.
Charles De Ketelaere drew a reaction save from Gianluigi Donnarumma early on in a sign of things to come, with the home crowd's excitement at Pio Esposito hitting the post soon dampened by the offside flag.
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