Italy coach Roberto Mancini has warned his team against underestimating Turkey in their upcoming UEFA Nations League match. The two teams face off on Monday, October 5, 2026, in the fourth round of the group stage. Mancini emphasized that Turkey is a strong team, citing the good work done by their coach, Vincenzo Montella. Montella has led Turkey back to the top level in the UEFA Nations League and secured their qualification for the World Cup.
Mancini acknowledged that Turkey may not be going through their best period, but he stressed that his team should not take them lightly. He pointed out that Montella's team was unlucky and that their coach has done a great job. The Italian coach also joked that he might start with his fourth-choice goalkeeper against Turkey. According to Football Italia, Mancini has excluded seven players from the squad for the match against Turkey, including Massimo Pessina, Edoardo Quadrio, and Daniele Giliardi.
Italy recently drew 1-1 with France in the previous round, with Zinedine Zidane as the French coach. This match was Zidane's first against Italy in 20 years, since the 2006 World Cup final. The match was notable for Zidane's infamous red card incident. The Italian team currently ranks third in the standings with four points, while Turkey is at the bottom without any points.
The two teams have a history of competition, with Italy winning 4-1 against Turkey in their previous encounter. Mancini's team will look to build on that victory and secure another win. The coach emphasized that underestimating Turkey would be a significant mistake and that his team needs to be focused.
In other news, the French fans prepared a special welcome for Zidane, marking his first match as France coach. The match against Italy was a significant event, given Zidane's past experiences with the Italian team. The UEFA Nations League continues with several matches scheduled for Monday, including France against Belgium and Croatia against Spain.
The Italian team has been dealing with some player issues, with reports that Mancini has excluded seven players from the squad for the match against Turkey. The excluded players include some notable names, and their absence may impact the team's performance. Mancini will need to make strategic decisions to ensure his team's success.
The match between Italy and Turkey is expected to be a closely contested encounter, given the history between the two teams and their current form. Mancini's warning against underestimating Turkey suggests that he is taking the match seriously and urging his team to do the same. The outcome of the match will have implications for the standings in the UEFA Nations League.
Key points
- Italy coach Roberto Mancini warns against underestimating Turkey in their UEFA Nations League match.
