Roberto Mancini Praises Italy's Resilience After Strong Win Over Turkey

Roberto Mancini, the manager of the Italian national team, expressed pride following his side's 4-1 victory against Turkey in Bursa during the UEFA Nations League. Despite tough weather and a heavy pitch, Italy delivered a commanding performance to bounce back after their earlier loss to Belgium.

Technical Skill Shines Amid Difficult Weather

Mancini praised his players for their professionalism and composure on a difficult surface made heavier by rain. The conditions threatened to disrupt Italy’s normally smooth passing game, but the team adapted well, maintaining control and precision throughout the match. Reflecting on the result, Mancini said, "I am satisfied because the boys played well on a tough pitch and it wasn’t easy. They did beautiful things and I’m happy for them because they deserve it."

Tactical Setup and Fluid Attacking Play

The performance featured a dynamic front three that constantly troubled the Turkish defense. Mancini explained that his tactical plan involved specific roles to confuse the opposition by stretching play wide while also creating central overloads. This approach paid off as Italy scored freely.

The coach detailed instructions for his forwards: "I had asked the attackers to both start wide, with Sebastiano Esposito staying on the left, Giacomo Raspadori moving inside to support Pio, and Michael Kayode attacking on the right. In the second half, Turkey reacted predictably, which was normal."

Michael Kayode’s Impactful Debut

The night was special for Michael Kayode, who scored on his first senior appearance and impressed with his balance of defense and attack. Mancini noted how seamlessly Kayode fitted into the system, showing no signs of nerves. The coach praised him beyond his goal contribution, stating, "He was very good, it was his first in the National team and it wasn’t easy for him. But he was good beyond the goal scored."

Looking Ahead to France Clash

Despite the decisive win, Mancini remains cautious about the team's progress, seeing this as one step in a longer journey. The focus now is recovery and preparation for their next tough match against France. Mancini emphasized the psychological boost from this victory, saying, "It’s worth as much as the defeat against Belgium was worth. The thing that matters is that the boys have understood that they can do good things, but the road is still long. Now we have to recover our strength because then there is a difficult match against France."

Upcoming Matches

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