Gianluigi Donnarumma endured a busy night in Rome as Italy began their Nations League campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Belgium on Friday.
The Man City goalkeeper captained his country at the Stadio Olimpico and made a string of saves to prevent Roberto Mancini’s return as Italy manager ending in a heavier defeat.
Belgium took the lead after 20 minutes when Kevin De Bruyne released Mika Godts, who cut inside before beating Donnarumma at his near post.
Donnarumma keeps Italy in the game
The City goalkeeper had already made a one-handed save from Charles De Ketelaere before Belgium went ahead, and he was soon called upon again.
Donnarumma produced a double save to deny De Ketelaere and then Nicolas Raskin from the rebound before making an excellent reaction stop from a Godts header. He later got his fingertips to another curling effort from the Belgium forward to turn it around the post.
Those interventions kept Italy within one goal at half-time and the hosts improved after the break. Moise Kean and Francesco Pio Esposito were both denied by Belgium goalkeeper Senne Lammens as Mancini’s side pushed for an equaliser.
Instead, Belgium doubled their advantage in the 69th minute. Dodi Lukebakio carried the ball forward from inside his own half before cutting inside and finding the bottom corner from outside the penalty area.
There was little Donnarumma could do about either goal on a difficult night for Italy, and Sky Italia rated the captain as their best player after his first-half saves kept the score down.
Donnarumma could be back in action on Monday when Italy travel to Turkey for their second Nations League fixture.
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