Match Information

Sport: Football

Match: Italy vs Türkiye

Tournament: UEFA Nations League 2026/27 – League A, Group A1, Matchday 4

Date: Monday, October 5, 2026

Kick-off: 8:45 PM CEST

Venue: Stadio Renato Dall'Ara, Bologna, Italy

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Italy welcome Türkiye to Bologna on Monday just days after Roberto Mancini's side produced an emphatic 4-1 victory in the reverse fixture in Bursa. The Azzurri now have an opportunity to complete the double and strengthen their position in a difficult Group A1. For Türkiye, the situation is becoming increasingly urgent.

Vincenzo Montella's side remain without a point, and another defeat would leave them in serious trouble in a group featuring France, Belgium and Italy.

Form, Trends, Key Facts, Stats & Team News

The first meeting changed the complexion of this double-header. Italy travelled to Bursa facing questions about their consistency under Mancini and answered them with a four-goal away performance. Now they get Türkiye at home. The challenge for Mancini is making sure the result in Bursa creates momentum rather than complacency.

Italy remain without several important players and have rotated considerably during the international window, but the reverse fixture demonstrated the depth still available to the returning Azzurri coach. Sandro Tonali and Davide Frattesi should again be important in midfield. Tonali can dictate the rhythm from deeper areas, while Frattesi's ability to attack space gives Italy a different threat when Türkiye become too focused on protecting the area directly in front of their defence. At the back, Alessandro Bastoni provides experience and quality in possession.

Italy do, however, continue to manage a substantial absentee list. Giacomo Raspadori and Nicolò Zaniolo are unavailable in attack, while Federico Dimarco, Bryan Cristante and Manuel Locatelli are also among those missing. That gives Mancini fewer options than he would ideally want, particularly with matches arriving quickly.

Türkiye's problems are arguably more damaging. Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kenan Yıldız and Orkun Kökçü remain unavailable, stripping Montella's side of a significant portion of their midfield creativity and attacking quality. Those absences were always going to make this Nations League window difficult. The 4-1 defeat in Bursa showed just how difficult.

Once again, much will depend on Arda Güler. The playmaker remains Türkiye's most important creative outlet and will need to find ways of escaping Italian pressure and getting the visitors moving forward. Barış Alper Yılmaz can provide directness and physicality, particularly in transition, but Türkiye need more than isolated attacking moments.

They need greater control. That is where the absence of Çalhanoğlu and Kökçü becomes particularly problematic. If Italy establish midfield dominance early, Türkiye could again find themselves spending too much time defending and relying on Güler to create something from limited possession.

Montella also faces a tactical dilemma. A cautious approach makes sense after conceding four in the reverse fixture, particularly away from home. But Türkiye are still searching for their first point.

At some stage, they may have to take risks. That could again create space for Italy. Mancini's side have no need to force the tempo recklessly. They can control possession, make Türkiye chase and wait for the visitors' need for a result to open the match naturally.

If Italy score first, that problem becomes even more pronounced. Türkiye would then need to attack a team that has already demonstrated its ability to exploit the spaces they leave behind. The visitors need a response. Italy have every reason to make sure they don't get one.

Key Facts

• 🇮🇹 Italy won the reverse fixture 4-1 in Bursa.

• 🇹🇷 Türkiye remain without a point in Group A1.

• 🏟️ The Azzurri now have home advantage at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara.

• 👔 Roberto Mancini has rotated his Italy squad heavily during the international window.

• 🎯 Sandro Tonali and Davide Frattesi remain important midfield options.

• 🛡️ Alessandro Bastoni provides experience at the back.

• 🚑 Italy are without Raspadori, Zaniolo, Dimarco, Cristante and Locatelli.

• ❌ Türkiye remain without Hakan Çalhanoğlu, Kenan Yıldız and Orkun Kökçü.

• 🎨 Arda Güler carries much of the visitors' creative responsibility.

• ⚡ Barış Alper Yılmaz offers Türkiye a direct attacking outlet.

• ⚔️ France and Belgium complete a demanding Group A1.

Pro Tip Before You Start

Türkiye need a response, but the matchup hasn't become any easier since the 4-1 defeat in Bursa.

Montella remains without several of his most influential midfield and attacking players, while Italy have already shown they can exploit those weaknesses. Add home advantage and the momentum of the reverse fixture, and the Azzurri deserve to be backed again.

👉 Expert Tip: Italy to Win (1.49)

Alternative Markets

• Over 2.5 Goals (1.47)

• Italy Over 1.5 Team Goals

• Italy to Win & Over 1.5 Goals

• Italy to Score First (1.42)

• Italy -1 Asian Handicap (1.77)

Italy scored four in Bursa. Türkiye now need points badly enough to take risks.

The venue has changed. The question is whether Montella can change the matchup.

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