For Italy, the 3-1 win represented another step in the right direction. Despite the numerous changes, Mancini’s side stayed composed after conceding the equaliser, quickly regained control and confirmed the progress they have made over the past few matches.
Mancini’s rotation pays off against Turkey
After the encouraging 1-1 draw in France, Mancini made no fewer than nine changes to his starting line-up. Only goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma and centre-back Alessandro Bastoni retained their places. Italy once again lined up in a 4-3-3, although with an almost entirely reshaped midfield and attack: Alessandro Romano operated in front of the defence, Issa Doumbia was given licence to push forward from midfield, while Antonio Vergara and Daniel Maldini played on the flanks either side of centre-forward Scamacca.
The lack of familiarity was evident early on. Italy struggled to find the right distances between the lines and also had problems out of possession against Turkey’s 3-4-2-1. Donnarumma was called into action early against Ozan Kabak and Yunus Akgün. Mancini later admitted that a certain loss of fluidity had been expected given the extent of the rotation.
The hosts nevertheless took the lead after 26 minutes. Italy switched the play to the right, Giovanni Di Lorenzo crossed into the area and Doumbia was first to the ball. Turkey failed to clear the danger and Scamacca reacted quickest, finishing from close range for his second international goal.
The numbers underline just how evenly matched the contest was. Turkey had 55 per cent possession, while Italy edged the shot count 15-14. Touches in the opposition penalty area were almost identical at 28-27. Italy also held only a narrow advantage in expected goals, 2.03 to 1.61.
Calafiori provides an immediate response
Mancini reacted with a triple substitution in the 55th minute, introducing Pio Esposito, Michael Kayode and Calafiori. Turkey struck first, however, with Aral Şimşir equalising in the 61st minute after being set up by Eren Elmalı.
Italy needed only three minutes to respond. Barella delivered from the right and Calafiori rose highest in the penalty area to head home his first senior international goal. The former Bologna defender therefore found the net at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara just minutes after coming off the bench.
The match was not over yet. Donnarumma was forced into another save from Salih Özcan at 2-1 before Italy began to find more space late on. In the 87th minute, Pio Esposito put the result beyond doubt. After a powerful surge from Doumbia, the ball eventually reached the striker via Romano and he finished for 3-1.
It was already Esposito’s seventh goal in 13 international appearances. Mancini later highlighted the striker’s hunger, willingness to compete physically and instinct for goal. The Italy coach also described Calafiori as one of the leaders of his newly shaped side.
After opening the campaign with a 2-0 defeat against Belgium, Italy have now collected seven points from their next three matches. The Azzurri sit on seven points, behind France on ten but ahead of Belgium on six. Mancini believes the direct meeting with Belgium in November could prove decisive in the battle for qualification.
France’s substitutes turn the game against Belgium
France remain top of the group after an extraordinary finish. Belgium led 1-0 at the Stade de France until the 77th minute, before substitutes Désiré Doué, Rayan Cherki and Michael Olise completely transformed the match. France scored four goals in just 14 minutes, with Olise finding the net twice.
All four French goals were scored by players introduced from the bench – another indication of the depth available to Zinédine Zidane. We have analysed France’s spectacular 4-1 victory in detail in a separate article.
Sweden keep rolling, Mamardashvili saves a penalty
In League B, Sweden remained unbeaten after four matches. Viktor Gyökeres scored the only goal in the 13th minute of a 1-0 away win in Romania. The hosts improved after the break, but goalkeeper Viktor Johansson made four saves to secure all three points. Sweden now lead Group B4 with ten points, two ahead of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Bosnia and Herzegovina stayed in touch with the leaders by beating Poland 1-0. Ivan Bašić converted the decisive penalty in the 84th minute. Poland had registered more attempts earlier in the match but failed to make their chances count.
In Group B2, Northern Ireland were denied victory in a 0-0 draw against Georgia, largely due to Giorgi Mamardashvili. The Georgian goalkeeper saved Isaac Price’s 84th-minute penalty and made five saves in total. Northern Ireland had the better of the game for long periods but could not turn their superiority into goals.
Hungary, meanwhile, beat Ukraine 2-1. Milán Tóth put Hungary ahead after the break, Roman Yaremchuk equalised in the 83rd minute, but just two minutes later Márk Csinger struck the winner.
In League C, Cyprus came from behind to beat Latvia 2-1. Giannis Kosti equalised in the 70th minute before Marcus Edwards scored the winner in the fourth minute of stoppage time. Montenegro and Armenia drew 0-0, with Montenegro finishing the game with ten men following Stefan Lončar’s late dismissal.
Spain and England bring Matchday 4 to a close
The fourth round of Nations League fixtures concludes on Tuesday. The league phase itself is far from over, however, with Matchdays 5 and 6 still to come in November.
In League A, attention turns primarily to Group A3. Spain travel to Croatia looking to maintain their perfect start with a fourth consecutive victory. Croatia, meanwhile, must respond after their historic 7-0 defeat to England. England host Czechia at the same time and will look to build on their emphatic win in Rijeka as they push towards the quarter-finals.
In League B, unbeaten Switzerland welcome North Macedonia, while Scotland face Slovenia. Six League C fixtures are also on the programme, including Belarus against a Finland side that has impressed going forward so far.
