Italy-Turkey, Mancini makes nine changes: on the pitch against Montella

Italy takes the field tonight in Bologna against Turkey with a significantly revamped lineup. Coach Roberto Mancini has made nine changes compared to the eleven that drew with France, confirming only goalkeeper Donnarumma and defender Bastoni. Di Lorenzo and Gianluca Mancini return to the defense, while left-back Ruggeri makes his starting debut. In midfield, Doumbia gets his first call-up, flanked by Romano and Barella. Up front, Scamacca returns to the starting lineup, with Vergara and Daniel Maldini completing the attacking trident.

The match, valid for the Nations League, is crucial for the Azzurri: a victory would ensure their stay in the top tier of the competition and could allow them to overtake Belgium for second place in the group. For Vincenzo Montella's Turkey, defeated 4-1 in the first leg in Bursa, the challenge takes on the contours of a final call for the Neapolitan coach, whose position is described as more precarious than ever.

The Nations League is a European football competition for national teams, organized by UEFA and established in 2018 to replace international friendlies with more competitive matches. Italy is placed in League A, the top division. Roberto Mancini's team started this edition with a heavy defeat against Belgium, which had raised fears of relegation and exclusion from the top seeds for the European Championship.

However, the path was radically reversed during the double away fixture: a clear 4-1 victory against Turkey on their home turf and a prestigious draw in France restored confidence and identity to the group. This series of four matches in eleven days, described by Mancini himself as a format to be reviewed, concludes tonight in Bologna. A victory would not only consolidate the climb in the standings but would also represent an important milestone for a group blending young prospects (like Kayode, Esposito, Pio) and experienced leaders (Tonali, Bastoni, Donnarumma), rediscovering cohesion and effective play after a disastrous start.