The Israel National Team fell to Italy 2-1 to wrap up the first window of Nations League games with a pair of losses as they also went down to defeat to Belgium in the first contest of two for brand new head coach Ran Ben Shimon.

The blue-and-white and the Gli Azzurri traded chances over the course of the first half, but as the time ticked down in the first half, Italy grabbed a 1-0 lead via Davide Frattesi just ahead of the break. An active Moise Kean doubled the advantage by pounding home a rebound in the box as the clock hit the 62nd minute while Muhammad Abu Fani pulled a goal back on a magnificent strike in injury time but that was as close Israel would come as they succumbed to the Italians.

All in all the results against both Italy and Belgium didn’t come as a surprise as the level of quality of Israel’s two opponents was far superior than that of the sabras who were in reality playing their first two competitive games under their new bench boss.

Ben Shimon is being charged with renewing a roster of players that for the most part are seeing their first games in their roles with the blue-and-white and they are also doing that for the most part versus some of the world’s top talent. Not an easy task for the coach or players to say the least but that is life when playing in League A of the Nations League.

Israel’s opposition were also well aware of the lofty challenge that Ben Shimon’s side would be taking upon themselves as Italian goal scorer Moise Kean explained, “The Israelis tried but it was a bit difficult for them. For us it was important to win and keep possession of important balls in order to avoid counter attacks. We did a great job.”

The Italian’s veteran head coach Luciano Spalletti flattered the blue-and-white, “The Israeli team showed good ability and is starting a new path. From a tactical and technical point of view, Israel showed very good ability. Our team showed maturity and was good, it was not particularly easy for us in the middle of t(e pitch, but we found a way to open the game up thanks to the talent of individual players and this is impressive because we have quite a few young players.”

For Israel, Manor Solomon was handed the captain’s armband showing how Israel is in the midst of a changing of the guard as the on loan Leeds United midfielder explained, “These were two very difficult games, against tough teams, among the best in the world but I think we showed a lot, although we lost both games and wanted to take points, we showed a lot. We were able to put the teams under pressure and we showed that we are building our own identity, that we want to continue to develop.”

“We just started this campaign and there will be several campaigns ahead. Everyone knows that the Nations League group we are in is the hardest there is, but this will build us for the future. In these games it is very important to show a way, uniformity, a common language and I think we are on the right path.”

Ben Shimon’s Israel also had plenty of youngsters in the squad for the pair of matches as the bench boss wanted to see what type of talent he will have available going forward even after the Nations League which will be the World Cup 2026 qualifying campaign. It’s all about molding a team into just that, a team is by far the first and foremost goal that has been set by the Israel Football Association in what would be the first time the blue-and-white would play in a top flight tournament since the year 1970.

After having fallen to Belgium in the first game of this window, Ben Shimon’s goals were succinct and to the point, “First of all we had one goal and that was to improve from the game against Belgium and we did that. The second thing was not to lose any game before it had even started. The players were focussed and wanted to win from the opening minute, they all played bravely.”

“What I will take from the game is seeing the Italian team trying to waste time in the corner in the final minutes, with its bench standing there frightened that they might drop points. This was very important to me and the fact that we were really in the game and focussed which was exceptional. Our decision making was good and I am very satisfied with the players who all did an amazing job.”

Ben Shimon was able to see a wide variety of players throughout the games and that explained that the changes in the lineup from one game to the next, “We have a team with a deep roster and I don’t really know yet who my ideal starting 11 are so I will try to let as many players as possible play. We saw some outstanding players who featured for us in what was a pair of matches in an official framework and obviously we want results and we really came with the goal of winning these games.”

When playing such top teams the goals set forth by Ben Shimon were undoubtedly lofty but also realistic which was seeing how the squad continued to mesh together, “The demand we had was to play our game and sometimes we will concede goals as a result of that. We will find the balance down the road but this is part of the learning process that we are in rage process of going through.”

Most importantly, Ben Shimon will take away the process that the team is going though, “In sports there are victories and for us in these two games there were small victories, we gained a lot from these two contests. We have to look ahead, we are just at the beginning of our journey and we played against some of the best teams in the world. The Israel National Team looked them in the eye and I am very satisfied. We will continue on.”