Nations League: Italy edge ahead of Türkiye again in Bologna rematch
Italy and Türkiye met again in a UEFA Nations League League A fixture in Bologna, a week after Italy's 4-1 win in the reverse leg; according to live-blog reports, Italy led 2-1 after 77 minutes following a string of second-half goals.
Context
On Monday, October 5, Italy and Türkiye met at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara in Bologna in a UEFA Nations League League A, Group 1 fixture — the final match for both sides in the current international window. Kick-off was at 20:45 local time, with Polish referee Szymon Marciniak in charge and compatriot Piotr Lasyk serving as VAR.
As reported by Sports Illustrated, this was the second meeting between the sides within a week, after Italy won the first leg 4-1. Heading into the match, Italy had collected four points in the group following a draw with France, but trailed leaders France and Belgium by three points. For Türkiye, the game offered a chance to end a losing run — the side had lost its previous three matches, scoring just once and conceding eight.
Italy coach Roberto Mancini made nine changes to his line-up, and newcomer Antonio Vergara made his first start. According to Yahoo Sports, forward Moise Kean missed the match through injury. Türkiye coach Vincenzo Montella had dismissed speculation before the game about a possible departure from his role.
Match action
The first half was lively on both ends — Türkiye's Kabak and Özcan tested Donnarumma, while Italy's Scamacca and Pio Esposito squandered chances of their own. Italy took the lead in the 26th minute: following a Vergara–Di Lorenzo combination and a header from Doumbia that deflected off the post of his teammate's body, the ball fell to Scamacca, who finished powerfully.
The second half turned dramatic. In the 61st minute, Türkiye equalised: after an Akgün–Çelik combination, Elmali's unintentional backheel teed up Şimşir, who beat Donnarumma. The celebration lasted only four minutes, however — in the 65th minute Italy retook the lead when Calafiori headed home from a Barella free kick to beat goalkeeper Çakır, though Türkiye protested that an uncalled push had helped the scorer. In the 77th minute, Türkiye threatened again when Özcan's shot, set up by Akgün, was turned behind for a corner by a sharp Donnarumma save.
According to the available live-blog coverage, Italy led 2-1 as of the 77th minute, though the sources do not confirm the final result of the match.
What's next
This was the last match of the current international window for both teams — the group stage resumes in November. Italy will host France and then travel to Belgium, while Türkiye will host Belgium before visiting France.
