Italy continued their commendable start to life under Roberto Mancini with a hard-fought win over Turkiye in their UEFA Nations League clash in Bologna.
Gianluca Scamacca gave Italy the lead in the 26th minute, and the Azzurri were ahead at the break. Aral Simsir grabbed the equaliser for Turkiye and drew them level just past the hour mark following a slick passing move. Their joy was short-lived as Riccardo Calafiori restored Italy’s lead three minutes later with a thumping header, and Francesco Pio Esposito applied a finishing touch to seal the three points in the closing stages of the game.
Roberto Mancini started his 2nd spell as Italy’s manager with a 2-0 defeat to Belgium at home, then the Azzurri thrashed Turkiye 4-1 in Bursa before earning a commendable 1-1 draw in their last match away against France. This victory boosts their chances of securing a spot in the quarter-finals. Mancini’s squad selection is starting to pay off, and Italy has plenty of positives to take away from this international break.
Italy sweat their lungs out
Italy controlled possession in the opening stages as they sought to break through Turkiye’s intense press. Gianluca Scamacca was presented with an opportunity to give Italy the lead but could not keep his shot on target in the 11th minute. Gianluigi Donnarumma was called into action a minute later to deny Ozan Kabak’s stinging effort from range. Salih Özcan was the next to probe Donnarumma, but the Italian goalkeeper was up to the task with a diving save to deny him.
Turkiye looked the most likely side to score, but Italy took the lead in the 26th minute. Antonio Vergara teased a cross from the right flank into Turkiye’s penalty area, and it took a deflection on its way to Scamacca, who hammered the ball into the net, off the underside of the bar. The goal was the Italian striker’s second international career goal, since his maiden one against England in October 2023—three years in between. Italy were ahead at the break.
Turkiye were presented with a big chance nine minutes after the restart to go level as Aral Şimşir picked up a long ball, rounded Gianluigi Donnarumma up but was unable to apply the finishing touch from a tight angle. Issa Doumbia went close for Italy but was denied by a strong save from Türkiye keeper Ugurcan Çakir.
It didn’t take too long for Turkiye to find the leveller. It was a smart interchange of play as Zeki Çelik made a purposeful run down the right flank before squaring the ball into Italy’s penalty area to Eren Elmali, who deftly flicked the ball to Aral Simsir to poke into the net from close range, just past the hour mark.
Turkiye plunged back into despair three minutes later as 55th-minute substitute Riccardo Calafiori restored Italy’s lead with an emphatic header. Nicolo Barella whipped an inswinging cross to the far post and, outmuscling his marker with a powerful leap, Calafiori connected with the ball and planted a bullet header into the top corner for his maiden international goal. An unforgettable, clutch moment from Calafiori, who opened his goalscoring account for the Azzurri at the stadium he used to wow Bologna fans.
Turkiye rallied together, pinged Italy on the counterattack, and Özcan launched a shot from the edge of the area. Still, Donnarumma came up clutch once again and tipped it over the bar with a trademark save. Pio Esposito put the game beyond doubt for Italy and snuffed any hopes of a Turkiye comeback with an instinctive finish three minutes before the end of normal time.
Issa Doumbia went on a slaloming run down the right, cut in and released a goal-bound shot that was blocked on the way in. The rebound fell to Alessandro Romano, who smashed it goalwards before Esposito applied the finishing touch to confirm Italy’s victory. The 21-year-old striker has been a clinical figure for Italy during this international break, with 3 goal involvements across 4 appearances.
Post-match reactions
Roberto Mancini, Italy coach, praised his team’s doggedness and fighting spirit in a statement.
“Even though we had made a lot of changes, there was fatigue all around, and we struggled a bit. But we did well to score, and then to score again right after they equalised,” said Mancini.
“We have to keep playing – we’re currently in second place, and we’ll likely have to fight to secure that spot in Belgium.”
Roberto Mancini also credited superb individual performances from some key players in his squad.
“Even in technical and physical terms – not just intellectually – Calafiori is already a leader. Vergara needs to play matches like these to elevate his game. I am certain he will improve significantly. Doumbia is further along because he is already playing in the Champions League. I enjoyed both of their performances today.”
Vincenzo Montella, Türki̇ye coach, praised his team’s attitude while bemoaning their ill luck and lack of adequate experience.
“As a coach, I am satisfied with the lads’ attitude and character. I could fault them for not making the right choice at the end, or for failing to properly cover the penalty area, but that is the nature of football at this level. I am certain the lads will gain invaluable experience from a match like this, because a single moment can lead to conceding a goal, and that ultimately decides the result.”
“It’s not that things aren’t working; we are simply at a level that is new to us. Football is sometimes very simple: key players who elevate the team’s level are missing. We decided to pursue a specific path, and try to qualify for the upcoming European Championship is important to us, too. We have brought in young players who lack extensive experience – even at their own clubs – because we are looking to the future.”
“If I look at Italy’s substitutions – bringing on Calafiori, Esposito, and Tonali – in that sense, I don’t think it’s anyone’s fault. Certainly not my players, who held their own, both tactically and technically, against a team of that calibre,” Montella added.
Italy sit on seven points having drawn one, lost one and won two games in their UNL group. They displaced Belgium to move into second place, following the Red Devils 4:1 loss to Group A1 leaders France. Turkey remains winless at the bottom of the group with a negative goal difference. The two sides will return to Nations League action on 12 November, when Italy will square off against France and Türkiye will take on Belgium.
