Rain fell over Bursa as Roberto Mancini’s rebuilt Italy found the response it needed, sweeping past Turkey 4-1 to claim its first victory of this new Nations League spell. After Friday’s 2-0 defeat to Belgium in Rome, the Azzurri arrived with questions hanging over them; by the interval, an assertive and sharply reshaped side had answered most of them.
Italy’s reset takes shape in Bursa
Mancini made eight alterations to the team beaten by Belgium, retaining only Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sandro Tonali and Pio Esposito. Alessandro Bastoni returned after suspension as Italy sought to move beyond the disappointments of recent years, including missing the past three World Cups.
Turkey coach Vincenzo Montella also changed his defence and midfield, while remaining without the injured Kenan Yildiz and Hakan Calhanoglu. Yet the hosts struggled to settle after an even opening, with Italy quickly taking control of possession and territory.
- Italy opened the scoring in the ninth minute through Bastoni.
- Davide Frattesi made it 2-0 midway through the first half.
- Michael Kayode struck Italy’s third goal in the 27th minute.
- Baris Yilmaz briefly revived Turkey after the break.
- Pio Esposito restored Italy’s three-goal advantage almost immediately.
A first-half statement from the visitors
Pio Esposito had already tested goalkeeper Mert Gunok Bayindir with a driven effort across goal when Italy took the lead from the resulting corner. Zeki Celik failed to deal with the delivery and Bastoni reacted quickest, throwing himself forward to score with his left foot.
Turkey’s defensive uncertainty persisted. Giacomo Raspadori and Esposito nearly capitalised again before Italy produced a flowing team move for the second. Kayode’s low finish was not held cleanly by Bayindir, allowing Frattesi to turn in the loose ball.
The Esposito brothers were influential between the lines as Italy played with greater intensity, and the third arrived before Turkey could recover. Pio Esposito collected the ball in the penalty area, laid it into Kayode’s path and watched the defender finish decisively. The home crowd voiced its displeasure as Turkey went into the break three down, with Arda Guler having made little impact.
Turkey improve, but Esposito ends the hope
Montella sent on Kerem Akturkoglu, Ismail Yuksek and Caglar Soyuncu Bardakci in a triple change at half-time, and the response was immediate. A misunderstanding between Donnarumma and Matteo Ruggeri allowed Turkey to strike in the 47th minute, with Baris Yilmaz converting Aydin’s pass.
The comeback lasted only moments. Tonali hit the post and Pio Esposito headed home the rebound to make it 4-1, restoring the comfort Italy had built before the interval.
Turkey nevertheless offered far more after the restart. Guler grew into the match, the hosts enjoyed sustained possession and Akturkoglu created danger, although he wasted a clear opportunity from close range with around 10 minutes remaining.
France await as pressure builds on Montella
Italy were able to see out the closing stages without further alarm and now head to Saint-Denis on Friday for a tougher test against France. The result gives Mancini’s second stint renewed momentum after the Belgian setback and offers a more convincing glimpse of the renewal he promised.
For Turkey, the mood is considerably darker. Montella’s side sit bottom of the group without a point after two matches, and the scale of the first-half collapse has left the coach under growing pressure.
