Bursa hosts a pivotal early evening in Group A1 as Turkey and Italy meet on Monday, 28 September, with both sides looking to turn first-round defeats into momentum in the 2026/27 UEFA Nations League. The Atatürk Centennial Stadium will stage a contest between two teams still searching for their first points in the fifth edition of the competition.
A response required after opening losses
Italy arrived in Turkey after a 2-0 home defeat to Belgium at Rome’s Stadio Olimpico. Turkey, meanwhile, were beaten 1-0 by France on home soil, leaving the two Mediterranean sides under immediate pressure in a compact group.
- Turkey lost 1-0 against France in their opening fixture.
- Italy were defeated 2-0 by Belgium in Rome.
- Belgium and France play each other in Brussels on Monday at the same time.
- The match in Bursa begins at 15:45 Brasília time.
The Nations League is part of the route towards Euro 2028, to be staged in England and the Republic of Ireland, while it also carries consequences for the European qualifying play-offs for the 2030 World Cup.
Bayindir steps in as Turkey lean on Arda Güler
Vincenzo Montella must make one enforced change. First-choice goalkeeper Çakir was sent off during the defeat to France, so Bayindir is set to take his place between the posts.
Turkey are otherwise expected to retain much of the side that began the campaign, with Real Madrid midfielder Arda Güler again the principal creative figure. Montella wants a more assured performance in possession after the French defeat.
“We want to do considerably more with the ball than we did in the last match,” Montella said. “Our possession has to be more secure, and we want the display on the pitch to show that.”
Mancini considers a fresh Italian selection
Roberto Mancini is expected to rotate more extensively after Belgium’s win in Rome. At least five changes are under consideration, with Kayode and Bastoni likely to come into the defensive line. Barella and Tonali could be rested, although Barella remains listed as a possible starter.
The Italy coach took encouragement from elements of the second half against Belgium, even if the result left the Azzurri with no margin for another setback.
“We need to remain calm,” Mancini said. “Belgium are an excellent team and they caused us real problems, but we responded well after the interval. We might even have levelled before they scored again. Our focus is now fully on the second game.”
Match details and expected teams
- Date: 28 September 2026
- Venue: Atatürk Centennial Stadium, Bursa, Turkey
- Kick-off: 15:45 Brasília time
- Referee: Michael Oliver, England
Turkey expected line-up
Bayindir; Çelik, Demiral and Bardakci; Aydin, Ozcan, Yuksek, Arda Güler and Kadioglu; Uzun and Yilmaz. Coach: Vincenzo Montella.
Italy expected line-up
Donnarumma; Kayode, Mancin, Bastoni and Calafiori; Frattesi, Barella or Tonali, and Mandragora; Raspadori, Maldini and Scamacca. Coach: Roberto Mancini.
The group stage runs until 17 November. The leading sides will go into quarter-finals scheduled from 25 to 30 March 2027, before the final stage takes place during the week beginning 9 June 2027.
