Italy Coach Mancini Made a Warning at a Press Conference Before the Türkiye Match
Quick Look
- Italy national football team coach Roberto Mancini, at the press conference he held before the UEFA Nations A League match with Türkiye in Bologna tomorrow, emphasized that Türkiye should not be seen as an easy opponent.
- Mancini stated that Türkiye was a good team and announced that rotation would be used, saying that his players might get tired.
- Additionally, it was reported that Moise Kean left the national team and Hakan Çalhanoğlu was missing from the team due to injury.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
Italy and Türkiye will meet in the UEFA Nations A League Group 1 tomorrow evening at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna. While Italy may have been tired in the previous match against France, Türkiye is also in a difficult situation with Hakan Çalhanoğlu's injury and the absence of Arda Güler and Barış Alper Yılmaz.
Italy's coach Mancini, who will host the crescent-star national team in Bologna tomorrow, held a press conference at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium before the match.
Mancini stated that the ranking in the group is important, but they need to think match by match, and said, "My players have really done their best so far and they will continue to do so. We played in Paris (against France) just 2 days ago. Of course, we will make some changes compared to the previous match." he said.
The Italian coach stated that he was very pleased with his team's performance so far and said, "But I think being in the same team in such a short time can be really tiring for the players. That's why we will continue to use rotation." he said.
Asked whether Türkiye will play tomorrow's match without Arda Güler and Barış Alper Yılmaz and whether this is an advantage for them, Mancini said: "I think Türkiye is a really good national team. It is a national team composed of really good players. I think (National Team Coach Vincenzo) Montella has taken very important steps, especially by succeeding in taking the team to the World Cup. But it is going through a difficult period right now. Especially when we look at this period, they are missing some important players." "They will come against us, but it will still be a difficult match." he replied.
Mancini stated that they should approach tomorrow's match correctly and said, "The mistake that should not be made is to think that Türkiye is an easy opponent. We need to remember that Türkiye came from the defeat in Belgium. It would really be a mistake to underestimate them. Therefore, we should not think that this will simply be an easy match." made his assessment.
Mancini, who was reminded that he described Turkey as "a good team" and that they beat them 4-1 in the second match of the group, answered the question whether there was a change in his opinion as follows:
"I definitely haven't changed my mind. I really think that it is a team with players whose technical qualities are at a very high level. They are currently going through a period where things are not going well. I think they have had a great misfortune, especially in the World Cup."
Barella: "It will not be an easy match for us"
Reminding that his Inter teammate Hakan Çalhanoğlu could not take part in the UEFA Nations A League matches due to his injury, Barella gave the following answer to the question "How does he see the star and crescent without Hakan?"
"Undoubtedly, Hakan is a really great player. I first met him as a rival and then as a teammate. He is a leading player. His teammates will feel the lack of his leadership. But of course, there are other quality players in Türkiye, but as you know, this is a team game. There are very high quality players in Türkiye who can also take on a leadership role. It will undoubtedly not be an easy match for us. Because Turkey will be injured, especially after its recent results. Therefore, they will want to show that they can do the opposite."
Meanwhile, in the statement made by the Italian Football Federation before the press conference, it was reported that striker Moise Kean, who did not participate in today's training due to pain, left the national team camp.
Italy and Türkiye will face each other in the UEFA Nations A League Group 1 tomorrow evening at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium in Bologna at 21.45 CET.
What to Watch
AI outlook — possibilities, not facts
Italy will consolidate its leadership of the group by winning the Türkiye match.
Likely · Within days
Türkiye will show a resilient performance despite the absence of Hakan Çalhanoğlu.
Possible · Within days
Open Questions
- Which players will be left out in Mancini's rotation plan?
- What is the truth behind Moise Kean's departure from the national team?
- How will Türkiye's defense strategy be adapted to the absence of Hakan Çalhanoğlu?


