Italy crisis deepens as Belgium’s win stalls World Cup rebuild in Rome

Six months on from failing to qualify for a third consecutive World Cup, four-time champion Italy is still struggling. Italy was beaten 2-0 at home by World Cup quarterfinalist Belgium in the Nations League on Friday in the Azzurri’s first match since a playoff loss to Bosnia and Herzegovina in March. Roberto Mancini marked his return to Italy’s bench three years after he abandoned the job for a lucrative deal to coach Saudi Arabia, and he appeared frustrated on the touchline. By contrast, it was a successful debut for new Belgium coach Mark van Bommel, the former Netherlands international who was hired when Rudi Garcia left after the World Cup.