Giovanni Di Lorenzo appealed for patience from fans and media following Italy's 2-0 loss to Belgium. "If we start tearing the Nazionale apart again already, it's not helpful."

The Azzurri marked the beginning of a new chapter under Roberto Mancini, whose previous tenure saw success with the 2021 European Championship victory. This success contrasted sharply with subsequent failures, including three consecutive World Cup qualification misses.

Their Nations League campaign commenced with a home defeat against Belgium, with goals from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio securing a 2-0 win.

Di Lorenzo protective of Italy

“It is certainly not pleasing to leave the field to jeers, but we have to accept them,” Di Lorenzo told RAI Sport. “The team tried to do its best, it’s a shame because we wanted to start the group well and we know that we’ve got to improve. We started feeling quite tense, but improved as the game wore on.”

Belgium, also debuting under a new coach, appeared to adapt more quickly to Mark van Bommel’s directives.

“They have some excellent individuals and today made the most of every error we made. It’s a pity, because when we conceded the second goal, we had been doing better and had the chances to equalise. We will have to build on the positive things that we saw. This is the right path and we know what the coach wants, which is to see a positive and courageous team. This is the first of four games in two weeks, we made some mistakes, but will do better from now on.”

A psychological burden seems to weigh on the Italy squad following numerous setbacks, intensifying the pressure.

“It wasn’t a terrible performance, at times we took control and then games change quickly. It’s a new era, new faces and they can make mistakes in their first matches. If we immediately start tearing the Nazionale apart again already, it’s not helpful,” warned Di Lorenzo. “We hope to be competitive as quickly as possible, I also think there is a self-esteem problem that we can only improve with results against big teams. We’ll give it our all.”

Kevin De Bruyne's performance for Belgium drew attention, and Di Lorenzo is familiar with his talent from their time at Napoli. “He’s a phenomenal player and I am fortunate to see him in training every day. He had a great performance tonight, unfortunately for us, but his quality is beyond doubt.”

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Di Lorenzo: 'बेल्जियम से 2-0 की हार के बाद इटली को टुकड़े-टुकड़े करना मददगार नहीं है'

Giovanni Di Lorenzo insists fans and media need to have patience with Italy after a 2-0 defeat to Belgium. ‘If we start tearing the Nazionale apart again already, it’s not helpful.’

The Azzurri began their second era under Roberto Mancini, who oversaw the last positive experience for fans when winning the European Championship in 2021.

That was surrounded by a series of nightmares that have left them traumatised, including the failure to reach the World Cup three times in a row.

Their Nations League campaign got off to a disastrous start too, losing 2-0 at home to Belgium with Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio goals.

Di Lorenzo protective of Italy

“It is certainly not pleasing to leave the field to jeers, but we have to accept them,” Di Lorenzo told RAI Sport. “The team tried to do its best, it’s a shame because we wanted to start the group well and we know that we’ve got to improve. We started feeling quite tense, but improved as the game wore on.”

Belgium were also making their debut under a new coach, but seemed to adapt far quicker to Mark van Bommel’s ideas.

“They have some excellent individuals and today made the most of every error we made. It’s a pity, because when we conceded the second goal, we had been doing better and had the chances to equalise. We will have to build on the positive things that we saw. This is the right path and we know what the coach wants, which is to see a positive and courageous team. This is the first of four games in two weeks, we made some mistakes, but will do better from now on.”

There really does seem to be a psychological block in the Italy side now after so many disappointments, and they are weighed down by the pressure.

“It wasn’t a terrible performance, at times we took control and then games change quickly. It’s a new era, new faces and they can make mistakes in their first matches. If we immediately start tearing the Nazionale apart again already, it’s not helpful,” warned Di Lorenzo. “We hope to be competitive as quickly as possible, I also think there is a self-esteem problem that we can only improve with results against big teams. We’ll give it our all.”

Kevin De Bruyne impressed for Belgium and Di Lorenzo knows him well from their time at Napoli. “He’s a phenomenal player and I am fortunate to see him in training every day. He had a great performance tonight, unfortunately for us, but his quality is beyond doubt.”