sport news Roberto Mancini says he feels Italy deserved something from England clash in ... trends now 'It's disappointing': Roberto Mancini doesn't hide annoyance at Italy having lost their opening game of Euro 2024 qualifying to England but says that a draw would have been 'fair' Italy lost 2-1 to England at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on Thursday The defeat sees their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign get off to the worst start Goals from Declan Rice and Harry Kane ensured England triumphed in Naples By Julian Bovill For Mailonline Published: 00:53 GMT, 24 March 2023 | Updated: 01:04 GMT, 24 March 2023 Viewcomments Roberto Mancini has admitted disappointment at Italy's 2-1 loss to England in Naples but urged his side to keep their heads up, arguing they deserved a draw on the night. Goals from Declan Rice and Harry Kane ensured Gareth Southgate's side saw their Euro 2024 campaign start in perfect fashion against the reigning champions in Naples. Kane's strike, his 54th in total for his country, saw him become England's record ever goalscorer, passing Wayne Rooney. On a night which promised a fiery and hostile atmosphere for the England players, they did a brilliant job in reducing the noise surrounding the game and the occasion, professionally swatting aside an Italy side that had the potential to cause problems. With his job seemingly under mounting pressure amid a failure to qualify for last year's World Cup and a poor start to the forthcoming tournament's qualification campaign, Mancini defended his team - saying they deserved something from the game. 'We knew it was a difficult game, but we conceded two goals from two corners. The first half was tougher, obviously, we dominated the second half and tried to get at least a draw, which I think wiould’ve been fair,' he told RAI Sport. Roberto Mancini urged his players to keep their heads up amid a poor start to the campaign The Italy boss - under mounting pressure - said that he felt his side deserved something from the game 'It’s disappointing, but there’s a long road ahead,' he added. 'We had started well with a high press, which we didn’t do for the rest of the first half. I saw a great Nazionale in the second half and that bodes well for the future. 'England are dangerous on set plays, we allowed the first I think due to a distraction, then the penalty was also from a corner. I think we deserved to score at least another goal after the break. 'We might be starting with an uphill struggle this time, but hope to end it smoother.' With Italy facing something of a crisis in the centre-forward position, they made the bold step this month to call up Mateo Retegui, an Argentinian-born striker who qualified for Italy through a maternal grandparent. One of the most potent players in the Argentinian division, Retegui got Italy back into the game in the second period with a cultured finish beyond Jordan Pickford. Luka Shaw's sending off 11 minutes from time made things nervy for England, but they defended resolutely with 10 men camped behind the ball to see out their first victory over Italy in the country since 1961. Mancini said he found it difficult in the first period, but once he had got used to the pace of the game and the physicality he grew into it, capping an encouraging performance with a goal. Declan Rice's early first half goal gave England a great footing in the game - before Harry Kane doubled their lead Argentina-born Mateo Retegui halved the deficit in the second half but England held on Gianluigi Donnarumma said that Italy deserved to concede the two goals in the first half for standing off England 'He had difficulties in the first half, as the England defenders are physically strong and limited him. He moved better after the break, but he is young, he plays his football in Argentina, so he needs time.' Meanwhile, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma said Italy gifted the 'entire first half' to England and said they should not be surprised that they were consummately punished. 'When you gift the entire first half to a quality side like England, they will hurt you,' Donnarumma said. 'We need to build on the second half, where we rediscovered ourselves. We showed that we want to keep surprising, we want to get results and we will get them in this qualifying campaign.' Share or comment on this article: All rights reserved for this news site (dailymail) and under his responsibility