Donnarumma’s poor run continues with Italy: a flop on the night of the Azzurri’s revival, but what will Mancini do against Belgium?
Italy savour a victory that could mark a turning point, but on an evening of Azzurri revival there is also a negative note: Gigio Donnarumma’s mistake, which gifted France the goal that put them temporarily ahead. It was a costly error from the captain, who is not enjoying the best spell of his career and has also had a difficult start to the season with Manchester City.
WHAT A MISTAKE - Italy fight back to beat France 3-1, a result that gives hope and confidence to the entire Italian football set-up. The victory matters to Roberto Mancini too. He has won back the Italian public after the controversy surrounding his departure from the national team and move to Saudi Arabia, and has brought the fans back on this team's side.
Yet the evening at San Siro had begun in the worst possible way. In the 10th minute, as Italy tried to play out from the back, Donnarumma made a costly mistake: he misplaced a pass intended for Barella, sending it straight to Michael Olise and allowing the French forward to run into the penalty area. The Bayern winger then got away from Bastoni and beat the Italy goalkeeper, who was slow and awkward as he went down to try to make the save, to make it 0-1. The mistake could have sent the match in a different direction.
NOT HIS FIRST THIS SEASON - The mistake against France was not an isolated one. Donnarumma has also made several costly mistakes for Manchester City in the Premier League and Champions League.
On 24 October, in a 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa, the Italian goalkeeper let a central shot from Nicolas Jackson go through his legs. A few days later, on 4 November, Ridle Baku beat him at his near post in a 3-2 Champions League win away to Leipzig.
Though different, those incidents have raised questions over Italy's number one. He has even come under fire from Citizens fans who want him sold immediately.
MANCINI'S IDEA - The head coach is trying to give Italy a clear identity, with a team that aims to control play and build from the back whenever possible. Italy followed that approach in the opening minutes against France, until Donnarumma's mistake.
After falling behind, the Azzurri changed their approach. From the goalkeeper to the defenders, they kicked long towards Pio Esposito, who held the ball up and allowed the whole team to push higher up the pitch. That switch helped change the course of the match and made Italy's play more effective.
WHAT WILL HE DO AGAINST BELGIUM? - Donnarumma is not going through the best spell of his career, and Mancini has already shown he will leave even senior players on the bench. He did so with Dimarco yesterday and with Barella in two of the first 4 matches of this new era.
Against Belgium, the stakes are high: a place in the Nations League finals is up for grabs, and a draw will be enough for the Azzurri to qualify. Will Mancini keep faith with his captain or consider an alternative? Marco Carnesecchi has long been among the candidates. The Atalanta goalkeeper can offer more in building play with his feet than between the posts.
For Mancini, the choice is between Donnarumma's experience and leadership and a goalkeeper showing greater assurance than the former AC Milan and PSG player. What will Mancini do?
