Tonali among under-fire Italy stars as Mancini's message to team revealed

Roberto Mancini reportedly told Italy players to ‘accept and understand’ fans’ boos after a 2-0 loss against Belgium, while La Gazzetta dello Sport singled out four Azzurri veterans for criticism over their performances on Friday.

The Azzurri are licking their wounds after yet another defeat on Friday against Belgium, in Mancini’s first game of his second spell in charge.

Four Italy veterans under fire after 2-0 loss v. Belgium Nicolo Barella of Italy and Belgium winger Diego Moreira battle for the ball in the Nations League match (@azzurri) Gazzetta reports that, after the game, Mancini tried to convey “optimism”, insisting that the journey, which has just begun, will take the team a long way.

Italy players were booed at half-time and at the end of the match against Belgium, but Mancini told them to accept the supporters’ frustration.

Mancini’s first spell in 2018 began with a home 1-1 draw against Poland, after which the Azzurri were also booed, and a 1-0 loss against Portugal, but after those games they’d go on to remain unbeaten for 37 consecutive games and win the Euros in 2021.

Roberto Mancini speaks to the media at a press conference at Coverciano ahead of the 2026 September-October international break, which will see Italy take on Belgium, Turkiye, France and Turkiye again in the Nations League. (Picture: Lorenzo Bettoni). ‘Mancini reminded his players of the feelings of a nation of fans exasperated by how little has been achieved in recent years,’ wrote Gazzetta.

‘For this reason, the boos must be accepted and understood, because they stem from a disappointment and from a love that feels betrayed.’

Gazzetta continued examining the defeat against Belgium, specifically blaming four experienced Italian players for their performances.

BERGAMO, ITALY – MARCH 26: Sandro Tonali of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s first goal with teammates Mateo Retegui and Moise Kean during the FIFA World Cup 2026 European Qualifiers KO play-offs match between Italy and Northern Ireland at Stadio di Bergamo on March 26, 2026 in Bergamo, Italy. (Photo by Marco Luzzani/Getty Images) ‘ Tonali, the £116m man, is struggling to lead Spurs, who sit bottom of the Premier League, and never really gets going when the demands of the national team become more intense,’ wrote Gazzetta in the same story.

‘Barella answers the call for Inter, but does so only intermittently with Italy. Di Lorenzo has been a non-factor for the Azzurri for some time now, while Roma’s Mancini keeps running into trouble through his rashness that is both misplaced and mistimed when he is called upon to lock down our penalty area.’

Barella and Mancini are among the ten Italy players who will train in Coverciano over the next two days and won’t be available against Turkey on Monday.