Bommel opens the Belgian era with a dazzling victory in Italy
Under the Rome sun, Belgium inaugurated the Mark van Bommel era by beating the Squadra Azzurra 0‑2 on Friday evening, giving the RED DEVILS a first prestigious victory on Italian soil; Belgian supporters celebrated this triumph from the early minutes.
Praise from the first half
The first 45 minutes won over the Belgian press. “His first 45 minutes as manager of the Red Devils were a pure pleasure to watch. Dynamism, enthusiasm and especially beautiful football. This promises many good things,” wrote Niels Poissonnier.
The daily newspaper called the start “excellent”, adding that “the Red Devils literally crushed the Italians”. It even teased the Netherlands, noting a superiority in dynamism of the Devils over the Oranje.
The French‑language version, La Dernière Heure, praised the “strong start” while reminding that the first of a new era is often anecdotal, citing the failures of Domenico Tedesco in Sweden (0‑3) and Rudi Garcia in Ukraine (3‑1). It emphasized that “caution is required” before the next duel against France, scheduled in 72 hours.
Mika Godts shines, the Red Devils dominate Italy in the first half
Individual performances praised
Goalkeeper Senne Lammens was praised by Philippe Albert in Sudpresse, who said Belgium would keep a clean sheet only thanks to him, calling him the “big winner of the evening” after two decisive interventions. Kevin De Bruyne showed he was still present, while Mika Godts scored the Red Devils’ first goal, described as a “future great” by the same journalist who shouted “Mamma mia, Mika.”
Italian media acknowledged the Belgian superiority. judged the domination “undeniable”, recalling that Roberto Mancini’s plan had been reduced to nothing. Tuttosport said Belgium were having “a blast with their new star”, and Corriere dello Sport noted that Belgium had crushed Italy already in the first half, even though the score was one goal at the break thanks to Donnarumma.
Godts in starting XI, Lammens shines in Rome under Mark van Bommel
Despite the enthusiasm, the Belgian press stresses the need to confirm this positive impression, the new Mark van Bommel era still facing the test of upcoming challenges. The Squadra Azzurra, for its part, finds itself in a rut after missing three consecutive World Cups.