Riccardo Calafiori has admitted that he was unhappy with Italy’s 2–0 defeat to Belgium, insisting that the Azzurri must improve after a disappointing start to their Nations League campaign.
Italy suffered a frustrating defeat at the Stadio Olimpico on Friday, September 25, with Belgium scoring through Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio. The result made for a difficult return to the Italy bench for Roberto Mancini, while the home supporters expressed their disappointment by booing the team at the final whistle.
Calafiori started the match at left-back and played the full game as Italy attempted to begin a new chapter under Mancini. However, despite showing signs of improvement after the break, Italy were unable to find a way back into the contest.
Speaking after the match, Calafiori made it clear that the defeat was not something he was happy about. The Arsenal defender acknowledged that Italy had to do much better, particularly after a first half in which Belgium created significant problems.
Calafiori admits Italy needed to do better
The defeat was made more frustrating by the fact that Italy had opportunities to get back into the match.
Belgium took the lead in the 20th minute when Godts produced an impressive individual effort. Italy struggled to respond immediately, and Belgium continued to create dangerous situations before the interval.
Calafiori acknowledged that Italy’s first-half performance was below the required standard.
The defender explained that there were no excuses for the way Italy performed during the opening period, although he also pointed out that Mancini had only worked with the squad for a few days before the match.
According to Calafiori, Italy’s response after half-time was much better. The team pushed forward and created opportunities, but Belgium eventually punished another mistake on the counterattack.
That second goal came in the 69th minute when Lukebakio finished a rapid attack, giving Belgium a 2–0 advantage and making Italy’s comeback considerably more difficult.
The Arsenal defender sees positives despite defeat
Although Calafiori was clearly disappointed by the result, he did not believe everything about Italy’s performance was negative.
The defender said that he saw a good Italy side during certain periods of the match. His comments reflected his belief that the team can improve as the new coaching project develops.
Italy’s players have had limited time to work under Mancini since his return, meaning there are still tactical adjustments to be made.
Calafiori acknowledged that there were aspects of the performance that he did not like, particularly the spaces Italy left behind their defensive line.
Those gaps became important because Belgium were able to exploit them during their attacks.
The Arsenal player also suggested that Italy needed to become better organised while continuing to develop their style of football under Mancini.
For Calafiori, the defeat was therefore a disappointment, but he believes the team has enough time to correct its problems.
‘The whistles hurt’
One of the most emotional aspects of the night came after the final whistle.
The Italian supporters inside the Stadio Olimpico made their feelings clear as the team left the pitch. Italy were booed by sections of the crowd after failing to produce the performance expected from the national side.
Calafiori admitted that the reaction from the supporters hurt.
The defender explained that he could feel the passion of the crowd during the match and understood that the players needed to give the supporters better performances.
The response from the fans was particularly significant because Italy have experienced a difficult period in recent years.
The national team has endured major disappointments, including another failure to qualify for the World Cup. The defeat to Belgium therefore increased the pressure surrounding the team as Mancini begins another spell in charge.
Calafiori, however, called on the players to respond rather than allow the criticism to dominate their thoughts.
Italy showed a better reaction after half-time
Despite the final scoreline, Italy’s second-half response offered some encouragement.
The hosts began attacking with greater intensity and created opportunities to equalise. Francesco Pio Esposito came close, while Moise Kean also had an opportunity that required intervention from Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Italy continued pushing forward, but their efforts were ultimately undone when Belgium scored their second goal.
Calafiori himself came close to getting Italy back into the game late on, attempting a difficult effort that went narrowly wide.
The chances demonstrated that Italy were capable of producing a better performance, but their inability to convert opportunities proved costly.
For Calafiori, the challenge now is to ensure that the positives from the second half become the foundation for the next match.
A new chapter under Mancini
Mancini’s return to the Italy job was one of the major talking points before the match.
The former Italy coach returned to the position after the national team went through another difficult period. His second spell began with a defeat, meaning there will inevitably be questions about the team’s direction.
However, Calafiori stressed that the players have only had a short period of time to work with the new coaching staff.
That lack of preparation time could help explain some of the organisational problems Italy experienced against Belgium.
The defender believes the team can improve with more training sessions and more matches under the new system.
Italy’s next fixtures will therefore be important opportunities for the players to demonstrate progress.
Calafiori wants Italy to respond
For Calafiori, the immediate focus is not on dwelling on the defeat but on learning from it.
The Arsenal defender believes Italy must take responsibility for the mistakes that allowed Belgium to score twice.
At the same time, he wants the team to recognise the positive moments from the game and use them as motivation.
His comments showed a mixture of disappointment and determination.
Calafiori was not satisfied with the result, but he also did not believe the defeat should completely erase the positive elements of Italy’s second-half performance.
That balance could prove important as the Azzurri attempt to rebuild.
Pressure will increase on Italy
The 2–0 defeat means Italy now have work to do in the Nations League.
The team cannot afford to repeat the same defensive mistakes in upcoming matches, particularly against strong opposition.
Calafiori’s message was clear: Italy must improve.
The defender’s experience with Arsenal has also given him an important role within the national team, and his ability to operate in different defensive positions could become useful as Mancini develops his squad.
For now, however, Calafiori and his teammates must recover from the disappointment of the Belgium defeat.
Italy had hoped to give Mancini a winning return, but instead they left the Stadio Olimpico with another frustrating result.
Calafiori’s reaction demonstrated just how disappointed the players were.
Yet rather than surrender to the negativity, the Arsenal star wants Italy to use the defeat as a lesson.
The message from the defender is therefore one of disappointment but also determination: the performance was not good enough, the supporters deserve better, and the players must respond in the next match.
With Mancini beginning another chapter as Italy coach, Calafiori believes there is still time for the team to improve. The defeat to Belgium was painful, but the Italian defender is already looking toward the response.
