Nations League: Mancini experiences home loss on return, Mbappe saves France but suffers knee injury
Italy's manager Roberto Mancini. Pic: Antonio Calanni/AP
Roberto Mancini's return as Italy head coach began with a disappointing loss at the hands of Belgium. Mark van Bommel's men found themselves in front after 20 minutes courtesy of Mika Godts, the playmaker sitting down two Italian defenders before calmly placing low into the net past Gianluigi Donnarumma. Done Lukebakio compounded Rossoneri misery with a second, finding himself on the end of a well worked Belgian counter attack.
Kylian Mbappe helped France to a first Nations League campaign win under Zinedine Zidane, the forward firing home with his right following a turnover and assist from Manu Kone. However, the Real Madrid man suffered a knee injury shortly after scoring. He received treatment immediately after and briefly returned to the field before Zinedine Zidane was forced into a 58th-minute substitution. Turkey had Ugurcan Cakir sent off late on.
Danylo Sikan's goal a few minutes before half time was enough to give Ukraine all three points against Hungary. The midfielder swooper into the box unmanned and guided home a header with ease for the only goal of the game. Ukraine's Oleksandr Nazarenko saw red minutes before the final whistle.
Sweden's Premier League striker partnership were on form as the Scandinavians narrowly beat Romania in Stockholm. Alexander Isak raced through to find the net in the 20th minute, the keeper getting a hand to it but not doing enough. Romania's Dennis Man equalised nine minutes later, outmuscling Viktor Lindelof in the box before firing home on the half volley with his left. Viktor Gyokeres buried the winner just before half time when his effort to an empty net was eventually guided in by a Romanian defender.
Armenia got their Nations League campaign off to the perfect start against Latvia with a 2-0 win. Georgy Arutyunyan put the hosts ahead after the half hour mark with a fine header that looped over Latvian keeper into the net. 15 minutes from time, Artur Garibyan found the ball at his feet in the box, span and found the net to secure the points.
Montenegro came from behind to beat Cyprus 2-1. The visitors went ahead thanks to a goal from Burnley's Marcus Edwards but conceded a penalty ten minutes later which Nikola Krstovic was happy to convert. Milutin Osmaijic put away the late winner to give Montenegro the maximum.
In other Nations League news, England coach Thomas Tuchel said forward Cole Palmer had missed another chance to impress after withdrawing from the squad ahead of Saturday's Nations League opener against Spain with injury.
The Chelsea player, who was left out of England's World Cup squad, returned to Tuchel's plans following a strong start to the season.
Palmer has scored four goals and provided two assists in seven appearances for Chelsea so far, earning a recall for Nations League fixtures against Spain, the Czech Republic and Croatia. However, the 24-year-old was forced to pull out of the squad with a muscle problem.
"It's another missed opportunity. He misses too many opportunities," Tuchel told reporters.
"I don't blame him for it, it's just a fact. He misses way too many camps with injuries.
"I only want to rely on what I personally witness and see within my team. For that you have to be in camp".
"He plays with discomfort and pain and cannot play on the highest level with discomfort and pain," Tuchel said.
"Chelsea informed us. That is my understanding. We're not managing load."
"This is not an international break. It's a competitive environment where the players love to train and be together. That's what we created. We will never compromise on that."
England begin their Nations League campaign against world champions Spain at Wembley on Saturday.
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