Koné praises France's attacking talent ahead of World Cup semi-final

Italy closed their Nations League window with a 3–1 victory over Turkey at the Dall'Ara in Bologna, following a 4–1 win in Bursa, to reach 7 points in Group A1. Roberto Mancini's side made nine changes from the draw with France. Gianluca Mancini started in central defence alongside Bastoni; Scamacca opened the scoring at the 26th minute after Di Lorenzo's cross, finishing low past the goalkeeper. Turkey equalised through Aral Simsir on the hour, left unmarked at the far post following a low cross from the right, but Italy responded within three minutes when Riccardo Calafiori, greeted by the Bologna crowd's ovation, rose above the Turkey defence to head in Barella's cross and make it 2–1. Gianluca Mancini's return to the Italy starting eleven was a positive night for the Roma defender, though the article notes Daniele Ghilardi was absent from the squad. Italy made it three consecutive positive results—after the 4–1 win in Turkey and the 1–1 draw in France—and secured a third successive competitive outing without defeat heading into November's final two group matches against France and Belgium. At the 87th minute, Doumbia broke down the right, crossed low, and Romano's shot was deflected in by Pio Esposito to seal the 3–1 scoreline. Esposito, with that goal, took his tally to seven in thirteen national team appearances. Donnarumma made an important save late in the match to preserve Italy's lead.

Italy defeated Turkey 3–1 in the fourth match of Nations League Group A1 on 5 October. The Azzurri, coming off a draw at home to France on 30 September, opened the scoring through Scamacca at the Dall'Ara in Bologna in the 23rd minute before Simsir equalized on the hour. Calafiori restored Italy's lead with a header in the 64th minute—his first goal in an Italy shirt—and Esposito sealed the victory from close range in the 87th, converting a cross from Romano. The result leaves Italy second in the group with 7 points, behind France on 10 and ahead of Belgium on 6. Turkey remain pointless after four matches, with manager Vincenzo Montella facing serious questions about his position. AS Roma defender Gianluca Mancini played the full match at centre-back alongside Bastoni, while fellow Roma defender Daniele Ghilardi watched from the bench.

The rivalry between Gian Piero Gasperini and Cesc Fabregas will reignite on the pitch this Sunday when Roma travel to Como, with the two managers having already traded barbs away from the field. Fabregas, attending the Festival dello Sport in Trento, used a Subbuteo table-top football game to demonstrate his tactical approach to stopping Roma, focusing on man-to-man pressing and how the Giallorossi compress forward. When shown footage of the demonstration, Gasperini responded with a quip: "He beat me at Subbuteo and Como won. Hopefully Sunday will be different," the Roma manager said with a smile. Gasperini has substantial respect for Como's recent trajectory. In an interview with Sky Sport, he acknowledged their evolution: "Anyone who follows football appreciates Como's development. It isn't simply a product of wealthy ownership investment, but also the quality of football they express. It's a blend of components that means Como rank among the best teams in the league." On the title race, Gasperini offered a frank assessment: "The Scudetto? I don't know—Inter are superior to everyone. But Como are certainly among those who can compete for it." The tension between the managers stems from last season's encounter, which ended in a heated exchange. After the match, Fabregas accused Gasperini: "Gasperini showed me disrespect." Gasperini's response was equally pointed: "Como are a strong team, but I don't respect their behaviour, on the pitch and on the bench." That confrontation arose from a failed handshake. Sunday's fixture represents another chapter in a rivalry that has elevated Como into the status of a genuine big-match opponent in Serie A.