Turkey 1-4 Italy: The Blow in the First 27 Minutes Started Mancini's Comeback

Turkey lost 4-1 to Italy in the UEFA Nations League, with the story of the match written in the first 27 minutes.

In Roberto Mancini's first victory since returning to the job, Italy;Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi and Michael Kayode established a three-goal lead before the half-hour mark. Turkey started the second half better, but the immediate response from Barış Alper Yılmaz was quickly followed by a goal from Pio Esposito, which closed the door on any chance of a comeback.

Italy thus secured their first three points in the group. Turkey, on the other hand, has yet to earn a point after their first two matches in the Nations League.

Italy caught Turkey in the first 27 minutes

The start of the match was very heavy for Turkey in terms of defensive organization.

Bastoni, who scored after a scramble from a corner in the ninth minute, put Italy ahead. Frattesi’s goal in the 22nd minute came from a rebound after a shot by Kayode.

Five minutes later, Italy found their third goal. After a series of connections around the penalty area, the ball came to Kayode; the right-back, wearing a Brentford jersey, scored from inside the box to make it 3-0 in his first match for the national team.

Italy's lead in the first half was not just about the score. Mancini's 4-3-3 formation repeatedly exploited the gaps between Turkey's defense and midfield. Kayode's goal was the clearest example of this game that Italy built through width and connections.

Turkey responded in the second half, but the comeback was short-lived

Turkey came out after the break with a more energetic and direct style of play.

Barış Alper Yılmaz, early in the second half, converted a cross from Oğuz Aydın to reduce the deficit to two goals. This goal revived the crowd and the match.

However, the reaction did not last long. After a misplaced pass, a shot from Sandro Tonali hit the post; the rebound was headed in by Pio Esposito. When the score reached 4-1, Turkey's chances of getting back into the match were largely extinguished.

Turkey showed a better performance in terms of production in the second half. The national team produced 15 shots and 1.86 xG overall, finishing the xG battle in the second half at 1.77 to 0.76 in their favor. However, the three-goal advantage given in the first half prevented this reaction from translating into real pressure on the scoreline.

Pio Esposito was the connection point of Italy's attack

Pio Esposito not only scored the goal that made it 4-1. He also played a role as one of the connecting players in the third goal of the first half.

Italy's three goals in the first 27 minutes came from different players: Bastoni, Frattesi and Kayode. However, Pio Esposito's back-to-goal play, his connections around the penalty area, and his impact on second balls were among the key elements that determined the flow of Italy's attacks.

For Turkey, the main issue is not the score, but the start

Although Turkey's 4-1 defeat looks heavy, the most important question of the match is not the reaction in the second half, but the fragility shown in the first half.

Italy produced 2.39 xG from 14 shots, with a significant portion of that production coming during their control period in the first half. Turkey found opportunities in the second half, where they were more involved in possession and attack, but were punished once again before the game could be balanced.

The picture emerging from Montella's team after the matches against Belgium and Italy is clear: there is a team that can engage in attack and produce, especially in the second half. However, when they lose defensive balance in the first phase against high-level opponents, it becomes very difficult to turn the match around.

Turkey's next challenge will not only be to create more chances but also to establish a structure that can withstand the first half hour of the match.