Calafiori on Italy's Loss: 'Saw a Good Team in Fits and Starts'
Riccardo Calafiori believes Italy must focus on the positives after their 2-0 Nations League defeat to Belgium, stating, "I saw a good team in fits and starts."
The team's start under the new coach Roberto Mancini didn't go as planned. Belgium secured the win at the Stadio Olimpico with goals from Mika Godts and Dodi Lukebakio, both capitalizing on defensive errors. Italy's best chances included a save from Senne Lammers and a point-blank shot from Giorgio Scalvini that hit the crossbar.
Calafiori Identifies Promise Amidst Challenges
Speaking to RAI Sport, Calafiori commented, "I saw a good team in fits and starts. We’ve just started working with a new coach, but other areas I didn’t like, we left gaps and conceded two avoidable goals. We must try to look on the positive aspects." He acknowledged that "there is a lot of work to do" as the team begins its journey with the new coach.
Some tension was visible after the final whistle, leading to yellow cards for Gianluigi Donnarumma and Romelu Lukaku. Calafiori downplayed the incident: "I didn’t really see, but these things happen on the field, we’ve got to move on."
The crowd at the Stadio Olimpico, which was not full, booed the team off the pitch. Calafiori felt the reception: "They hurt, because at times I felt the passion of the crowd. We’ve got to do better, we all know that, starting from the next match."
This match marked Calafiori's first senior appearance for Italy at left-back, his usual position at Arsenal.
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