Italy thrash Turkey 4-1 in Nations League as Ghilardi watches from bench

Italy defeated Turkey 4–1 in a Nations League fixture at Belediye Stadyumu in Bursa on 28 September 2026, with goals from Bastoni, Frattesi, Kayode and Pio Esposito. The result came in the second matchday, with Italy seeking to recover after a home loss to Belgium. Kayode and Sebastiano Esposito made their debuts for the national team, while Ruggeri also earned a first cap. Roberto Mancini's side established control early: Bastoni opened the scoring from a corner in the ninth minute, Frattesi doubled the lead in the 22nd minute after Kayode's initial effort was parried, and Kayode himself added the third in the 27th. Turkey reduced the deficit through Yilmaz in the 47th minute before Pio Esposito headed in a fourth from Tonali's rebound in the 51st minute. From a Roma perspective, Gianluca Mancini was not included in the Italy squad, while Daniele Ghilardi was named on the bench. The match was significant for Italy's Nations League campaign, with a win essential to avoid relegation to League B. Turkey, managed by Vincenzo Montella, had lost their opening fixture to France. Italy's lineup featured Donnarumma in goal with Kayode at right-back, Scalvini and Bastoni as centre-backs, and Ruggeri at left-back. Frattesi, Tonali and Fagioli operated in midfield, with Raspadori, Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito in attack. Italy's bench included Ghilardi, Calafiori, Di Lorenzo, Mandragora, Romano, Doumbia, Cambiaghi, Vergara, Kean and Scamacca.

Roma face back-to-back fixtures on their return from the international break that will reveal much about their credentials as a major club. The standout occasion is a Champions League home match against Real Madrid on 14 October — a reunion heavy with history. José Mourinho returns to the Olimpico, where he spent two and a half seasons and where Roma supporters are primed to salute him properly, though Gasperini's bench will hold no warm pleasantries. The fixture carries particular weight because Roma can approach it without fear: Real Madrid have struggled through the early campaign, including against Inter despite the Bernabéu result, and will arrive in Rome without key players including Konaté, Valverde, and possibly Mbappé, who is recovering from a tendon injury to his knee sustained with France. A dominant first-half display against Inter has delivered confidence and clarity to a squad that has identified gaps in their game — notably goals conceded early in the second half — but retains the hunger to return among Europe's elite. Gasperini has already shown in little more than a year that his football can carry a whole city, and Roma know these two matches will test their maturity against world-class opposition. The coach will not afford to slip. Gasperini's own words on Daniele De Rossi's arrival underscore the tension between different eras: "At Roma De Rossi put football first — before that people sought results through other things," he said, a pointed reference to Mourinho's tenure. Roma's ambition in the Champions League phase and their need to defend the first-half coherence they showed against Inter will define whether this squad belongs among the continent's best.

Lorenzo Pellegrini is ready to feature for Roma at Como after six months away from competitive football, with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini considering deploying him as a lone attacking midfielder behind two front strikers. Facing Como's organised four-man defence under Cesc Fàbregas, Gasperini has identified a specific tactical solution: positioning Pellegrini in the space between Como's midfield and back line, where the Roma captain can operate as a difficult-to-mark presence. Two opposing centre-backs cannot push forward aggressively without ceding depth to Roma's two forwards, while Como's midfielders risk being caught between lines and forced to cover ground without the ball. The role demands more than creative finishing or the final pass to forwards — whether the pairing of Donyell Malen and Paulo Dybala or the option of Santiago Castro from the start. Pellegrini must provide the aggression and positional awareness essential in the defensive phase. As a central attacking midfielder, the Roma captain becomes the first player tasked with pressing Como's initial build-up, screening the opposition playmaker and disrupting their play from the back. A 3-4-1-2 formation would offer Pellegrini a dual responsibility: playmaker when Roma regains possession, and first line of defence when closing space is needed. The shape appears tailored specifically for the trip to the Stadio Sinigaglia.

Italy take on Turkey in the Nations League second round after a heavy defeat to Belgium on Friday, with manager Vincenzo Montella in charge. Daniele Ghilardi starts on the bench, while Gianluca Mancini has not been called up to the squad. Bastoni and Scalvini form the central defensive pairing, with a front three comprising the Esposito brothers and Raspadori. In parallel, Manu Koné is unavailable for France's match against Belgium, with Como midfielder Da Cunha starting in his place. The absences of both Roma players reflect the demands of the international calendar during the Nations League group phase.

Italy defeated Turkey 4–1 in a Nations League fixture at Belediye Stadyumu in Bursa on 28 September 2026, with goals from Bastoni, Frattesi, Kayode and Pio Esposito. The result came in the second matchday, with Italy seeking to recover after a home loss to Belgium. Kayode and Sebastiano Esposito made their debuts for the national team, while Ruggeri also earned a first cap. Roberto Mancini's side established control early: Bastoni opened the scoring from a corner in the ninth minute, Frattesi doubled the lead in the 22nd minute after Kayode's initial effort was parried, and Kayode himself added the third in the 27th. Turkey reduced the deficit through Yilmaz in the 47th minute before Pio Esposito headed in a fourth from Tonali's rebound in the 51st minute. From a Roma perspective, Gianluca Mancini was not included in the Italy squad, while Daniele Ghilardi was named on the bench. The match was significant for Italy's Nations League campaign, with a win essential to avoid relegation to League B. Turkey, managed by Vincenzo Montella, had lost their opening fixture to France. Italy's lineup featured Donnarumma in goal with Kayode at right-back, Scalvini and Bastoni as centre-backs, and Ruggeri at left-back. Frattesi, Tonali and Fagioli operated in midfield, with Raspadori, Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito in attack. Italy's bench included Ghilardi, Calafiori, Di Lorenzo, Mandragora, Romano, Doumbia, Cambiaghi, Vergara, Kean and Scamacca.

Francesco Totti marked his 50th birthday on 27 September with reflections on his Roma career and a revelation about the club's recruitment. In a long interview and in his book *Oltre*, published on his birthday, Totti spoke about the debt he owes to Roma: "Roma has allowed me to realise my dream, to wear a single shirt, number 10, and to be captain." On the historic number 10, Totti insisted it should go to a player who could stay at Roma long-term rather than a passing figure. Totti also disclosed a curious behind-the-scenes transfer story involving the club's current squad. During a dinner with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini in recent months, Totti recommended several potential signings. Among them was Santiago Castro, the forward who arrived from Bologna this summer. Totti recalled: "I suggested an attacker to Gasperini—Castro, a winger, and a midfielder." Gasperini, the article reports, held a positive view of the Argentine's profile, saying: "Castro appeals to me a great deal; I think we see football in the same way." Separately, Gianluca Mancini will not travel with Italy for the Nations League away fixture against Turkey. Roberto Mancini, the Italy coach, has opted to manage the squad's workload, leaving ten players at Coverciano including Roma's defender. Daniele Ghilardi, also of Roma, has been called up and will be part of the Italian delegation for the match scheduled for tomorrow evening in Bursa. Mancini will follow a personalised training programme at the Italian Football Federation's technical centre. Former Roma players paid tribute to Totti on his milestone birthday. Fabrizio Aspri, speaking on Radio Radio, reflected on his character: "I remember feeling unwell after the goal against Genoa. I liked Totti as a man. Francesco is kind and good. At his first American press conference he said: 'Fabrizio Aspri doesn't start the press conference.' Totti is many things, you can't capture him in a book. The Totti I experienced was a daily Totti—like the desk mate we never had. If Totti missed a match, the airport was empty. His simplicity was the most beautiful thing about him."

Italy take on Turkey in the Nations League second round after a heavy defeat to Belgium on Friday, with manager Vincenzo Montella in charge. Daniele Ghilardi starts on the bench, while Gianluca Mancini has not been called up to the squad. Bastoni and Scalvini form the central defensive pairing, with a front three comprising the Esposito brothers and Raspadori. In parallel, Manu Koné is unavailable for France's match against Belgium, with Como midfielder Da Cunha starting in his place. The absences of both Roma players reflect the demands of the international calendar during the Nations League group phase.

Italy defeated Turkey 4–1 in a Nations League fixture at Belediye Stadyumu in Bursa on 28 September 2026, with goals from Bastoni, Frattesi, Kayode and Pio Esposito. The result came in the second matchday, with Italy seeking to recover after a home loss to Belgium. Kayode and Sebastiano Esposito made their debuts for the national team, while Ruggeri also earned a first cap. Roberto Mancini's side established control early: Bastoni opened the scoring from a corner in the ninth minute, Frattesi doubled the lead in the 22nd minute after Kayode's initial effort was parried, and Kayode himself added the third in the 27th. Turkey reduced the deficit through Yilmaz in the 47th minute before Pio Esposito headed in a fourth from Tonali's rebound in the 51st minute. From a Roma perspective, Gianluca Mancini was not included in the Italy squad, while Daniele Ghilardi was named on the bench. The match was significant for Italy's Nations League campaign, with a win essential to avoid relegation to League B. Turkey, managed by Vincenzo Montella, had lost their opening fixture to France. Italy's lineup featured Donnarumma in goal with Kayode at right-back, Scalvini and Bastoni as centre-backs, and Ruggeri at left-back. Frattesi, Tonali and Fagioli operated in midfield, with Raspadori, Pio Esposito and Sebastiano Esposito in attack. Italy's bench included Ghilardi, Calafiori, Di Lorenzo, Mandragora, Romano, Doumbia, Cambiaghi, Vergara, Kean and Scamacca.

Manu Koné has emerged as Serie A's most valuable midfielder, his rapid rise through the 2026-27 season vindicating head coach Gian Piero Gasperini's decision to keep him at Roma despite summer transfer interest. The French midfielder has recorded six appearances and two goals in the campaign's opening weeks, partnering his assured play in the middle of the field with a leadership that strengthens with each fixture. According to Transfermarkt, Koné now carries a market value of €60 million—a €10 million increase since the start of the season—ahead of Barella (€50m), Sucic (€45m) and McTominay (€40m). His statistical output substantiates the narrative of improvement. Koné leads Roma's midfield in passing precision at 90.2%, second only to defender Gianluca Mancini's 91.1%. His offensive contribution has surged markedly: he attempted 1.40 shots per 90 minutes this season against 0.44 in the previous campaign, while shots on target rose from 0.18 to 0.84 per 90. Gasperini has tailored the midfielder's development into a more complete player, a shift evident in his increased physical intensity—Koné now commits 1.96 fouls per match compared to 1.72 last season, a hallmark of the coach's tactical demands. The Frenchman, who secured a first-team place with France under Deschamps and now plays for Zidane's national side, remained at Roma through the summer market upheaval and is aiming for a definitive step forward.