Italy leave Florence for Bursa with Roberto Mancini reshaping his side after a difficult return to the Azzurri bench. Monday’s Nations League meeting with Turkey offers an immediate chance to respond to the 2-0 defeat by Belgium in Rome, with both teams still waiting for their first points in the competition.
Mancini has kept 10 players at Coverciano rather than taking them to Turkey. Nicolò Barella, Gianluca Mancini, Diego Coppola, Daniel Maldini, Honest Ahanor, Samuele Inacio, Eddy Kouadio, Massimo Pessina, Samuele Ricci and Mohamed Alí Zoma will continue their work at the Italian federation’s training centre outside Florence. The decision is also designed with the next fixtures in mind: France visit on 2 October before Italy face Turkey again three days later.
Nicolò Zaniolo will also miss the Bursa trip, having been sent home because of a physical problem. The absences leave Mancini with room to alter several areas of the team that began against Belgium, particularly after a debut defeat that offered little margin for another stumble.
Changes expected from Rome
Michael Kayode is in contention to take Giovanni Di Lorenzo’s place at right-back, while Alessandro Bastoni is available again after serving a suspension. Giorgio Scalvini could partner Bastoni in central defence, with Riccardo Calafiori and Matteo Ruggeri competing for the role on the left.
Further adjustments may come through midfield. Davide Frattesi, who featured in the second half against Belgium, is pressing for a starting place, and Rolando Mandragora is another possible inclusion. Sandro Tonali completed the full 90 minutes in Rome and could be given a rest.
Up front, Giacomo Raspadori is among the candidates to join Moise Kean and Francesco Pio Esposito. In Bursa, Italy’s task is simple enough: turn the page from Rome and take the first points of a new Nations League campaign before the calendar pulls them back toward France and another meeting with Turkey.
