Following a 1‑1 stalemate with France, Italy stormed past Turkey 3‑1 in Bologna on Monday, extinguishing the French hopes for a Nations League quarter‑final berth. Can the Azzurri finally lock in a spot?
For the second time in a week the Azzurri outclassed Turkey 3‑1 on Bolognese soil, confirming Mancini’s rebuilding project is gaining traction after a long World Cup absence.
The Nazionale’s display wasn’t flawless; across this international window they compiled two wins, a draw and a loss, the sole defeat a 2‑0 home loss to Belgium on matchday one.
Mancini shuffled the squad after the draw in France.
Having missed out on the 2026 World Cup after Bosnia‑Herzegovina edged them in the European playoffs, Italy reclaimed confidence. Three days after holding France to a draw at the Stade de France, they remained composed against Turkey.
Mancini chose only two starters – Donnarumma and Bastoni – from the France line‑up. The opening twenty minutes felt laboured and Turkey threatened, but the youthful Italian cohort, led by Alessandro Romano, Daniel Maldini and Antonio Vergara, soon asserted control. In my view, the coach’s bold rotation sparked the revival.
Scamacca ends three‑year goal drought.
The advantage arrived via 27‑year‑old veteran Gianluca Scamacca, who netted his first international goal in three years (the 26th of his career). Turkey, coached by fellow Italian Vincenzo Montella and still smarting from a 4‑1 home defeat on 28 September, equalised in the 61st minute through Aral Simsir after an Italian marking slip.
Just a minute later Riccardo Calafiori rose to head the lead in the 64th. Near the end, Francesco Pio Esposito, the face of this new Italy, entered and struck the third goal in the 87th, cementing the group‑1 runner‑up spot with seven points.
Mancini told Rai Uno, “We struggled early, but overall it was a good match. With all the changes, a dip in fluidity was expected, yet the squad held on and responded quickly after Turkey’s equaliser.”
The French will await qualification, while a revitalised Italy looks ahead. Will Italy carry this momentum into the Belgium showdown?
After the opening loss to Belgium, Italy have now gone unbeaten in three Nations League outings. Revived in the race for quarter‑final qualification, Donnarumma’s teammates also snatched the fourth‑match ticket from France with the Turkish victory.
The coaching staff wants to keep the momentum alive for the next camp. “We must ride this wave into November; everything hinges on our clash with Belgium,” Mancini warned.