Italy Bounces Back with a 4-Goal Outburst in Bursa: Montella’s Turkey Routed 4-1

The Azzurri Bounce Back in Bursa. Italy crushed a Turkey team that was unrecognizable in the first half 4-1, a team that was only able to mount a comeback in the opening minutes of the second half. Amid torrential rain in Turkey, the national team started with three debutants—Ruggeri, Sebastiano Esposito, and Kayode—and immediately returned to winning ways after a difficult Nations League opener, getting back on track in their group.

Italy came out strong and immediately took control of the match. Bayındır had to work overtime to keep Turkey in the game, but in the 9th minute, he was beaten by a great deflection off Bastoni following a corner kick. The hosts were unable to respond, and the Azzurri continued to break through down the flanks, with the attacking wingers skillfully creating space for Frattesi and Kayode, who was particularly active on the right.

It was precisely a run by the Brentford fullback that led to the second goal. In the 22nd minute, Kayode got off a shot; Bayındır made the save but could do nothing to stop Frattesi’s tap-in. A few minutes later, the third goal came, again following a play developed on the right: this time, it was Pio Esposito who provided the assist for Kayode, who made it 3-0.

The Azzurri continued to dominate and even came close to scoring a fourth goal through the Esposito brothers and Raspadori, who was then forced to leave the game as a precaution at halftime. Turkey heads back to the locker room amid boos, while Montella—under fire from fans demanding his dismissal—tries to shake up the team with three substitutions.

The response comes immediately. In the 46th minute, Barış Yılmaz capitalized on a lapse by the Italian defense to pull one back, with Ruggeri not quite at his best on the play. Italy, however, remained composed and restored their two-goal lead in the 50th minute. After Tonali hit the post, Pio Esposito pounced on the ball and scored with a diving header to make it 4-1. Turkey also scores a second goal through Yılmaz, but the goal is disallowed for offside. At that point, the Azzurri are able to conserve their energy and manage the result.