Sandro Tonali insists Italy is having “fun with football” again, even if the red card in their 2-2 draw with Belgium inevitably changed the scenario. “That’s the approach we like best.”

The Nazionale got off to an ideal start at the Stadio Olimpico and took the lead after 61 seconds through Andrea Cambiaso, who was also involved in Mateo Retegui’s second goal.

However, the game changed when Lorenzo Pellegrini was shown red for a tackle on Arthur Theate’s ankle and Belgium came back into the game with Maxim De Cuyper and Leandro Trossard.

Tonali enjoys the new Italy approach

“It was a positive performance, the red card is part of the game and we have to accept it,” Tonali told RAI Sport.

“We proved we could play good football and it was difficult to confirm the good work of the first two games as people expected a lot from us, but we were that team in the first 40 minutes.”

“We have to accept that the game changed after the red card, especially since Belgium scored immediately after that free kick, but we held on well for an hour against a strong opponent.”

Newcastle United midfielder Tonali insists Luciano Spalletti’s switch in tactics to 3-5-2 has restored more than just results after the disappointing EURO 2024 season.

“In the first 40 minutes you could tell we were having fun playing football, and that’s what we were missing last year. It’s the approach we like best.

“When we were down to 10 men it became painful, but we stayed strong and united to finish the game with our heads held high.”

Italy are back in action on Monday evening against Israel at the Bluenergy Stadium in Udine.

They remain top of the Nations League group, albeit just one point ahead of France and still three points ahead of Belgium in third place.