Italy responded to their disappointing Nations League opener in emphatic fashion, producing a dominant first-half display to defeat Türkiye 4–1 in Bursa and revive their Group A1 campaign.
After losing 2–0 at home to Belgium in their opening match, Roberto Mancini’s side needed a response. They delivered one in spectacular fashion, scoring three times inside the opening 27 minutes before Francesco Pio Esposito added a fourth early in the second half.
The result moved Italy onto three points after two matches, while Türkiye were left searching for their first point of the campaign. The victory also gave Mancini his first win since returning to the Italy job.
Italy make their intentions clear
There was an immediate sense that this would be a different Italy from the team that had struggled against Belgium.
Mancini made eight changes to the starting XI that lost in Rome, introducing several players who brought fresh energy to the side. Among them were Michael Kayode and Matteo Ruggeri, while Nicolò Fagioli returned to the international lineup. Alessandro Bastoni also returned from suspension.
The changes worked almost immediately.
Italy pressed high, moved the ball quickly and repeatedly found openings in the Turkish defence. Rather than allowing the hosts to settle into the match, the Azzurri took control from the opening exchanges.
Bastoni breaks the deadlock
Italy’s pressure produced the opening goal in the ninth minute.
A low corner from the left caused confusion inside the Turkish penalty area. Zeki Çelik failed to deal with the delivery, allowing Alessandro Bastoni to attack the loose ball.
The Inter defender reacted quickest and fired the ball into the roof of the net.
Türkiye 0–1 Italy.
It was exactly the start Mancini would have wanted.
Italy were aggressive without the ball and purposeful when they had it, while Türkiye struggled to cope with the visitors’ movement around the penalty area.
Frattesi doubles the advantage
Italy did not sit back after taking the lead.
Instead, they continued to attack.
In the 22nd minute, a flowing attacking move eventually produced another opportunity. Michael Kayode’s effort was saved by Altay Bayındır, but Davide Frattesi reacted first to the rebound and calmly put the ball into the net.
Türkiye 0–2 Italy.
The goal demonstrated one of Italy’s greatest strengths on the night: their reaction inside the penalty area. They were quicker to loose balls and consistently arrived in dangerous positions ahead of their opponents.
Türkiye were suddenly in serious trouble.
Kayode celebrates dream debut
Five minutes later, Italy delivered another blow.
Kayode, making his senior international debut, found himself unmarked inside the box after a pass from Francesco Pio Esposito.
The Brentford defender made no mistake.
He finished the opportunity to make it 3–0 after just 27 minutes.
For Kayode, it was a remarkable introduction to international football. His first appearance for Italy had already produced his first goal.
Italy’s three-goal advantage also reflected the difference in efficiency between the teams. Türkiye had attacking players capable of causing problems, but Italy were ruthless whenever an opening appeared.
Türkiye try to fight back
The second half began with Türkiye showing more urgency.
The hosts were rewarded just two minutes after the restart.
Oguz Aydin took advantage of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s decision to come off his line and squared the ball across the penalty area. Barış Alper Yılmaz was in the right place to finish into an empty net.
Türkiye 1–3 Italy.
Suddenly, the atmosphere inside the stadium changed.
The home side had a goal, and Italy’s comfortable advantage had been reduced. Türkiye appeared to have a chance of making the final stages uncomfortable for Mancini’s team.
But that hope lasted only a few minutes.
Pio Esposito restores Italy’s control
In the 50th minute, Francesco Pio Esposito produced Italy’s response.
The young striker rose to meet a cross and headed the ball beyond Bayındır, restoring Italy’s three-goal advantage.
Türkiye 1–4 Italy.
The goal effectively ended the contest.
Pio Esposito’s performance was particularly notable because he started alongside his older brother Sebastiano. According to reports, the match marked the first time two brothers had started together for Italy since 1915. Sebastiano’s appearance also made him the third Esposito brother to represent the national team, following Salvatore and Pio.
Türkiye denied a second goal
Barış Alper Yılmaz appeared to have scored again in the second half, but his effort was ruled out for offside.
That decision prevented Türkiye from reducing the deficit further and ensured Italy could manage the remainder of the match without facing sustained pressure.
The final whistle confirmed a comprehensive 4–1 victory for Italy.
A major response from Mancini’s Italy
The result was important because of what had happened three days earlier.
Italy had started the Nations League campaign with a 2–0 home defeat to Belgium, leaving Mancini’s side under immediate pressure. Rather than allowing that result to affect their confidence, they travelled to Bursa and produced one of their most convincing performances of the early campaign.
Mancini praised his players afterwards, saying the whole team had performed well and highlighted their ability to press high, retain possession and move the ball effectively. He also acknowledged the difficulty of the match and immediately turned his attention towards the next challenge.
France await in Paris
Italy’s reward for their victory is a meeting with France.
The French side also won on Monday, defeating Belgium 1–0 in Brussels through a spectacular late goal from Michael Olise. France therefore lead Group A1 with six points from their opening two matches, while Italy and Belgium have three each.
Italy will travel to France with renewed confidence, but the scale of the challenge is clear. France have won both of their matches under new coach Zinedine Zidane, while Italy will need to reproduce the intensity and efficiency they showed in Bursa.
For Mancini, however, the immediate objective has been achieved.
Italy needed a response after the defeat to Belgium. They got one emphatically.
Three first-half goals destroyed Türkiye’s resistance, Pio Esposito restored the advantage after the hosts briefly threatened a comeback, and Italy left Bursa with four goals, three points and renewed momentum.
The Nations League campaign has suddenly become much more interesting for Italy. From a difficult opening night in Rome to a commanding performance in Bursa, Mancini’s side have shown how quickly the picture can change in international football.
