Italy arrive in Bursa with their Nations League campaign already under pressure, facing Turkey at 20:45 after both sides began the second matchday without either a point or a goal.
Key takeaways
- Turkey were beaten 1-0 by France in their opening fixture, while Italy lost 2-0 to Belgium.
- Roberto Mancini has split his Italy group, leaving 10 players at Coverciano rather than taking them to Turkey.
- Nicolo Barella and Daniel Maldini are among those remaining in training in Italy.
- Turkey’s starting side includes Arda Güler, Orkun Kökçü and Kenan Yıldız.
- Gianluigi Donnarumma captains an Italy XI featuring Sandro Tonali, Davide Frattesi and Giacomo Raspadori.
A reset for Italy in Bursa
The trip to Turkey gives Italy an immediate chance to respond after Belgium’s 2-0 victory in the first round. Mancini has altered his approach for the meeting with Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey, managing his resources by dividing the squad between the travelling party and the players retained at Coverciano.
Ten members of the group did not make the journey, with Barella and Maldini among those staying behind to continue their work at the national training centre. It leaves Italy with a substantially reshaped side for a match that could set the tone for the rest of their Nations League week.
Turkey, too, have a score to settle after their narrow defeat against France. Neither team found the net in the opening round, so Bursa hosts two sides looking for their first attacking breakthrough of the campaign.
Starting line-ups
Italy begin with Donnarumma in goal behind a defence of Kayode, Scalvini, Bastoni and Ruggeri. Tonali, Frattesi and Fagioli form the midfield, with Raspadori joined by the two Espositos in attack.
Turkey select Bayındır as goalkeeper. Çelik, Demiral and Kabak line up across the back, while Aydın, Kökçü, Özcan and Elmalı operate through midfield. Güler, Uzun and Yılmaz make up the forward line.
