Gianluigi Donnarumma admits Italy players tried to avoid discussing the World Cup play-off, instead focusing on tomorrow’s Belgium match under Roberto Mancini. ‘We want to control the game.’

It kicks off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST).

The Nations League Group A is completed by France and Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye.

This is the first competitive match since the Nazionale lost the 2026 World Cup play-off final against Bosnia and Herzegovina on penalties, having been down to 10 men for most of it following Alessandro Bastoni’s red card.

“It’s been very tough,” confessed Donnarumma to Sky Sport Italia.

“I struggle to even explain it, this has been a very long and difficult summer, but we must start again. We are hungry, it’s a new era, tomorrow we have a big game and the fans like us are disappointed, so it’s up to us to fire them up and get them to fall back in love with the Azzurri jersey.”

There are several new faces who weren’t part of that side in Bosnia, including Cagliari midfielder Alessandro Romano, who is tipped to start tomorrow against Belgium.

“I’ve been impressed with everyone, they are all strong players. Alessandro Romano really impressed me, but there’s a lot of quality in the youngsters and I am sure they’ll be the future of the Nazionale.