Italian resurgence presses Turkey and puts the Red Devils under pressure

In the buzzing San Siro‑like stadium in Bologna, the Azzurri were ready to host Turkey, a match that not only affects the Nations League standings but also the chances of the Red Devils in the group stage. Tension rose when the referee let the clock tick to 27 minutes.

First half and first goal

Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring in the 27th minute, after a cross from Francesco Pio Esposito. His shot hit the post and went past Çakir, putting Italy 1‑0 up. Five minutes later Scamacca himself received a yellow card, a first warning in the match.

Turkey responded in the second half. After a quick exchange, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, with a pass from Michael Kayode, provided Aral Simsir with the equaliser in the 62nd minute. It was a crucial turn that reignited the tension.

Roberto Mancini had shortly before introduced Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito as substitutes. Calafiori took advantage of a free kick from Barella and put the ball in the net in the 65th minute, putting Italy back in front 2‑1.

Final phase and definitive victory

The young striker Francesco Pio Esposito sealed the match in the 88th minute, after a cross from Romano, with a finish that made the final score 3‑1. This confirmed Italy's resurgence after a difficult start against Belgium.

Calafiori restores Italy's lead after Turkish equaliser

The match featured several yellow cards: Matteo Ruggeri received a yellow card in the 48th minute, Zeki Çelik in the 56th, and Eren Elmali in the 82nd. These disciplinary moments underscored the intensity of the confrontation.

After the equaliser, Turkey tried to come back again. Donnarumma had to deflect a powerful shot from Özcan, and later Kerem Aktürkoglu got a chance after a failed intervention, but his lob went wide. The pressure, however, remained unabated.

For Turkey the malaise is complete; after an international break without points the team finished with zero points. Italy, on the other hand, is building again, after a 1‑4 victory in Turkey, a draw in France and now this win, which sees them overtake the group position of the Red Devils.

Nations League in Bologna: Mancini guides Italy towards revival

The Nations League match, matchday 4 on 05/10/26 at 20:46, means that Italy jumps the group over the Red Devils again, putting Belgian chances in the qualification under pressure.

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