{"id":782924,"date":"2026-09-26T06:00:27","date_gmt":"2026-09-26T06:00:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/782924\/"},"modified":"2026-09-26T06:00:27","modified_gmt":"2026-09-26T06:00:27","slug":"calafiori-saw-a-good-italy-side-in-fits-and-starts-during-painful-2-0-loss-to-belgium","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/782924\/","title":{"rendered":"Calafiori: ‘Saw a good Italy side in fits and starts’ during painful 2-0 loss to Belgium"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"Riccardo<\/p>\n

Riccardo Calafiori passes the ball for Italy against Belgium in the Nations League (@azzurri)<\/p>\n

<\/a> <\/p>\n

Riccardo Calafiori insists Italy \u2018must try to look at the positive aspects\u2019 after their 2-0 Nations League defeat to Belgium<\/a>. \u2018I saw a good team in fits and starts.\u2019<\/p>\n

It was not the start that the Nazionale wanted in the second Roberto Mancini era, as they were swept aside at the Stadio Olimpico by Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio, who waltzed through the defenders on both occasions after errors.<\/p>\n

The best opportunities saw one big Senne Lammers save and Giorgio Scalvini thumping the crossbar from point-blank range.<\/p>\n

Calafiori sees Italy promise\"TheThe Italy starting XI for the Nations League MD against Belgium at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome (@azzurri)<\/p>\n

\u201cI saw a good team in fits and starts. We\u2019ve just started working with a new coach, but other areas I didn\u2019t like, we left gaps and conceded two avoidable goals. We must try to look on the positive aspects,\u201d Calafiori told RAI Sport.<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a lot of work to do, we\u2019ve just started with a new coach, so we\u2019ll see.\u201d<\/p>\n

There seemed to be some tension after the final whistle, which prompted yellow cards for Gianluigi Donnarumma and Romelu Lukaku.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t really see, but these things happen on the field, we\u2019ve got to move on.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ROME,ROME, ITALY \u2013 SEPTEMBER 25: Mika Godts of Belgium scores a opening goal during the UEFA Nations League 2026\/27 group phase match between Italy and Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on September 25, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

Italy were jeered off the pitch at the final whistle by the far from sold out crowd at the Stadio Olimpico, as patience has completely run out for the fans.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey hurt, because at times I felt the passion of the crowd. We\u2019ve got to do better, we all know that, starting from the next match,\u201d concluded Calafiori.<\/p>\n

This was the first time in his entire senior Italy career that Calafiori had played at left-back, the role he traditionally adopts for Arsenal.<\/p>\n


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