Italy go into the Türkiye rematch at the Dall'Ara in Bologna on matchday 4 of the Nations League with two key lineup calls still open. The first leg ended 4-1 to Italy in Bursa, but the main issue now is who starts, with Roberto Mancini still weighing his midfield and forward options.
Mancini's midfield and forward choices
The holding role is still a contest between Nicolò Fagioli and Sandro Tonali, while Moise Kean remains in doubt because of a tibia problem that has also troubled him in Florence and against Bosnia in Zenica. Mancini, speaking to TuttoMercatoWeb, said: "As the current edition of Corriere dello Sport reports, in the holding role there is a contest between Nicolò Fagioli and Sandro Tonali while up front Nicolò Cambiaghi is asking for space."
Tonali's case is strong enough to keep him in the conversation. His Italy Nations League rating is 6.5, and he played 62 minutes and posted a 6.64 rating against France, so he is clearly available for another start if Mancini wants him.
Kean, though, is the bigger fitness question. He has only 2 Nations League appearances this season and a 6.28 rating, which gives Italy a bit of output but not the sort of status that makes the decision automatic.
Türkiye's problems before the rematch
Türkiye arrive with their own issues. Arda Güler will miss the game after his late booking against Belgium triggered a one-match ban, and Barış Alper Yılmaz is also suspended.
The wider pressure is already obvious in the numbers. Türkiye have 0 points from 3 Nations League matches and only 1 goal in Group 1, while Italy have 4 points from their first 3 games. That leaves Vincenzo Montella's side needing a response in Bologna, even before the absences are added into the picture.
Italy vs Türkiye is still live, but the selection debate around Tonali, Fagioli and Kean has become the main story before kickoff.
Written by Sam Whitfield with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 3 outlets. How we work →
