Mancini: ‘Italy played well, Raspadori had a knock, now for France’

Roberto Mancini praised Italy's performance following a 4-1 victory over Turkiye in the UEFA Nations League on September 28, 2026. After losing 2-0 to Belgium, Mancini made eight changes to the starting line-up in Bursa. Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, and debutant Kayode scored to provide a 3-0 first-half lead, before Francesco Pio Esposito added a fourth following Baris Alper Yilmaz's goal for Turkiye.

Mancini clarified that Giacomo Raspadori was substituted at half-time due to a physical knock. Debutants Sebastiano Esposito, Matteo Ruggeri, and Kayode all featured in the starting XI amid multiple squad absences. Italy now prepare to face France in Paris on Friday, October 2, sitting level on three points with Belgium.