(PRIMASPORT) BOLOGNA – L’Italia concede il bis con la Turchia, battuta 3-1, e sale al secondo posto nel girone di Nations League scavalcando il Belgio sconfitto dalla Francia capolista. Roberto Mancini ha proposto una formazione inedita, che ha offerto segnali confortanti nel segno della continuità contro un avversario rimasto in partita fino agli ultimi minuti. Dopo il passo falso con il Belgio all’esordio, la Nazionale ha trovato la sua dimensione pure mutando le pedine e proponendo esordienti all’altezza del compito.
Turkey had plenty of motivation to give their game meaning from the kickoff, leading them to call on Donnarumma on a couple of occasions. Roberto Mancini's team didn't force it, and with an unusual 4-3-3 formation, they maintained balance and attempted to attack the depth, especially on the right flank, which relied on the mobility and talent of Vergara. Scamacca remained on the lookout and struck in his trademark style at the first opportunity, opening the scoring. From that moment on, the Azzurri developed the fluidity and automaticity their coach demanded. Turkey's equalizer after 15 minutes of the second half didn't destabilize the Azzurri, who regained the lead through substitute Calafiori. The third goal, again from the bench, came from Pio Esposito. Vergara and Doumbia, both debutants from the start, fully repaid the faith they had shown.
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Roberto Mancini made nine-elevenths of his starting lineup in Paris, confirming only Donnarumma and Bastoni, flanked by Gianluca Mancini. Di Lorenzo and Ruggeri were the full-backs. Romano returned to the deep midfield, alongside Barella and Doumbia, making his starting debut, along with Vergara, deployed on the right flank, with Maldini at the other end and Scamacca as central striker.
The Azzurri handed the initiative to the Turks, who moved the ball around and tried to liven up the play. Italy had its first chance at the Turkish goal after 12 minutes with a powerful but inaccurate shot from Scamacca. Turkey responded a minute later with Kabak, who forced a 30-meter save out of Donnarumma's hands. Donnarumma was well-positioned to block the player's subsequent shot and then was ready to anticipate Agkun when he was unmarked in the box. With the first opportunity, in the 26th minute, Scamacca volleyed the ball into the crossbar after a rebound from Kabak. This lead allowed Italy to take control and ease the Turkish pressure. In the early stages of the second half, Turkey attempted to push forward again, and Simsir found himself with a good ball on his head that he couldn't convert. In the 10th minute, Roberto Mancini changed the two full-backs and the central striker. Kayode, Calafiori, and Pio Esposito replaced Di Lorenzo, Ruggeri, and Scamacca. In the 13th minute, Doumbia, freed by a backheel from Barella, found himself one-on-one with the Turkish goalkeeper, who denied him a second by parrying his shot with his left leg. In the 16th minute, Turkey equalized on a low cross from the right by Celik, a gentle touch from Elmali, who ultimately played the ball to Simsir, who was positioned at the far post for an easier tap-in. Italy regained the lead in the 19th minute: Calafiori rose to the top corner from a free kick from the right flank. In the 25th minute, Tonali replaced Barella, allowing Romano to play further forward. Montella replaced Kahveci and Simsir with Fakili and Elmaz. Italy attempted to close things out, but Turkey remained on the prowl, and in the 33rd minute, Donnarumma had to use his hands to deflect Ozcan's running shot over the crossbar. A minute later, Montella brought on Akturkoglu for Ismail for a dominant finish. In the 37th minute, Romano tried from distance, but the Turkish goalkeeper was in the way. After two minutes, Vergara succumbed to the pressure and was replaced by Frattesi. In the 42nd minute, the third goal, which put the game to bed, came from a move by Doumbia, whose blocked shot was an invitation for Romano to set up Pio Esposito, who relentlessly beat him from close range with a first-time finish. Not satisfied, Doumbia engaged in another duel with the goalkeeper, who blocked the ball.
ITALY – Türkiye 3-1
ITALY (4-3-3): Donnarumma 6.5 Di Lorenzo 6 (10' st Kayode 6) Mancini 6 Bastoni 6 Ruggeri 6 (10' st Calafiori 7) Barella 6.5 (25' st Tonali 6) Romano 6.5 Doumbia 7 Vergara 7.5 (39' st Frattesi sv) Scamacca 7 (10' st Pio Esposito 6.5) Maldini 6. Subs: Carnesecchi, Vicario, Scalvini, Ricci, Fagioli, Cambiaghi, S. Esposito, Inacio. Coach: Roberto Mancini
TURKEY (4-3-3): Ugurcan 6 Celik 6 Abdulkerim 5.5 Kabak 6 Kadioglu 5.5 Elmali 6 Ismail 6 (34' st Akturkoglu sv) Ozcan 6 Kahveci 6 (25' st Fakili ) Simsir 6.5 (25' st Elmaz 5.5) Yunus 6. Available: Bayindir, Sengezer, Demiral, Topcu, Tiknaz, Gul, Kabasakal, Aydin, Eskihellac. CT: Montella
Referee: Marciniak (Pol) 6.5 Assistants: Listkiewicz and Kupsik (Pol). Fourth Man: Arys (Pol). Var: Lasyk (Pol) AVar: Fahndrich (Svi)
Scorers: Scamacca (first half) 26'; Simsir (second half) 16'; Calafiori (second half) 19'; Pio Esposito (second half) 42'
Booked: Scamacca, Ruggeri, Celik, Abdulkerim
Recupero: 0, 3 (PRIMASPORT)