Roberto Mancini has urged Italy to banish the memory of Bosnia-Herzegovina when they face Belgium in their UEFA Nations League clash at the Stadio Olimpico. Friday's game in Rome is the first of Italy's Group A1 campaign, which also includes matches against France and Türkiye.

It is also their first match with head coach Mancini back at the helm, and their first competitive outing since the penalty shootout defeat by Bosnia that cost them a place at this summer's World Cup. "These have been two important training days," said Mancini. "We hope to make the right choices, the lads are ready. We must immediately look beyond Bosnia."

Goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma said the fallout has been difficult to process. "They have been very tough days, I find it hard to talk about it," he said. "It was a strange and very long summer, but we have to start again. Our goal is to build a great national team, and Mancini will give us a big hand in this."

There will also be a new face on the Belgium bench, with Dutchman Mark van Bommel having replaced Rudi Garcia. "It's not easy to prepare the team in four days," van Bommel said. "We want the ball, and if we lose it, to win it back as soon as possible."