Europa League
Italy restores confidence in Turkey with three goals in the first half
Italy secured a 4-1 victory over Turkey on 28 September 2026 in Bursa, washing away the disappointment after the defeat to the Red Devils. Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring after ten minutes, Davide Frattesi doubled the lead after twenty‑three minutes and Michael Kayode added the third goal at twenty‑eight minutes.
Fast start and early lead
The match began with a mistake by Turkish defender Celik nine minutes after kickoff, allowing Bastoni to work in a low corner and score the first goal. A quarter of an hour later goalkeeper Bayindir produced a weak shot, after which Frattesi placed the ball into an empty net for a 0‑2 score.
Half an hour later completely shot away
Kayode found the way to the net himself at twenty‑eight minutes and scored the third goal, giving Italy a comfortable 0‑3 lead before the break. After the interval, Baris Alper Yilmaz put Turkey on the scoresheet with a goal in the eightieth minute, but Italy recovered quickly.
Frattesi credits Mancini’s plan and Kayode’s towel for Italy win
Final phase and definitive victory
Francesco Pio Esposito headed the rebound from Baris Yilmaz a minute after the Turkish goal, bringing the score to 1‑4. The rest of the match saw a few yellow cards – including Can Uzun in the ninetieth minute – but no further goals. Italy controlled the game, washed away the earlier defeat to the Red Devils and secured its first win in the new Mancini era.