Roberto Mancini Commends Italy's Resilience After 4-1 Win Over Turkey in Nations League

Roberto Mancini, Italy’s manager, expressed pride following his team’s strong 4-1 victory over Turkey in Bursa. Despite heavy rain and a difficult pitch, the Azzurri bounced back impressively after their prior loss to Belgium.

Technical Skill Persists Despite Weather Challenges

Mancini praised his players for their professionalism on a tough surface, noting how the wet conditions threatened to disrupt their usual passing style. The team maintained composure and sharpness throughout the match, which boosted squad morale significantly.

"I am satisfied because the boys played well on a tough pitch and it wasn’t easy," Mancini told Sky Sport Italia. "They did beautiful things and I’m happy for them because they deserve it."

Tactical Setup Creates Attacking Opportunities

The fluid front three caused continuous problems for the Turkish defense. Mancini explained the tactical plan involved spreading the play wide while also controlling central areas to create overloads. This approach helped Italy score freely during the game.

He shared details of his instructions: "I had asked the attackers to both start wide, with Sebastiano Esposito staying wide on the left, Giacomo Raspadori moving inside to support Pio, and Michael Kayode attacking on the right. In the second half, Turkey reacted as expected, which is normal."

Michael Kayode Shines in Senior Debut

The highlight was Michael Kayode making his senior national team debut, scoring a goal and delivering a strong performance on the flank. Kayode adapted quickly, blending defensive responsibilities with forward runs, fitting perfectly into Mancini’s strategy.

"He was very good, it was his first time in the national team and it wasn’t easy for him," said Mancini. "But he was good beyond just the goal scored."

Looking Ahead to France Clash

Mancini remained measured despite the win, emphasizing the need to view this result as a step in a longer process. Recovery and preparation are now key as Italy prepares for a tougher challenge against France.

"It’s worth as much as the defeat against Belgium was," Mancini added. "The important thing is the boys have realized they can do good things, but the road is still long. Now we have to recover because there is a difficult match against France."

• UEFA Nations League A Match: France vs Italy, 2 Oct 2026, 21:45
• UEFA Nations League A Match: Belgium vs Turkey, 2 Oct 2026, 21:45