Mancini: 'Italy's lack of fluidity can be taken into account'
October 7, 2026 ·
Roberto Mancini admitted Italy's lack of fluidity after nine changes in a 3-1 win over Turkiye was predictable, stressing the importance of not underestimating opponents.
Mancini: ‘Italy's lack of fluidity can be reckoned with’
According to Sports.
Background
Roberto Mancini made nine changes to the line-up, which had an impact on the fluidity of Italy's game. Nonetheless, goals from Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito show the great potential of a young player like Alessandro Romano. This victory gives Italy confidence to face the challenges ahead, including important matches in international qualifying.
Why this is important
Italy's 3-1 win over Turkiye shows the importance of squad depth in facing a busy schedule. Despite nine changes to the line-up, Mancini managed to emphasize that his team must remain alert to potential surprise opponents. This is a valuable lesson for Italy ahead of future matches, especially in the context of competition at international level.
Main Points
- Mancini: ‘Italy's lack of fluidity can be reckoned with’.
- Roberto Mancini admitted Italy's lack of fluidity after nine changes in a 3-1 win over Turkiye was predictable, stressing the importance of not underestimating opponents.
- Mancini: ‘Italy lack of fluidity was predictable’ after 9 changes against Turkiye - Yahoo Sports.
Italy national team coach Roberto Mancini admitted that the lack of fluidity in his team's play after making nine changes to the line-up was predictable. This happened in the match against Turkiye which ended with a score of 3-1 at the Dall'Ara Stadium, Bologna. Even though Italy managed to win, Mancini said that his team had to remain alert and not underestimate their opponents.
Mancini said that changes made to the line-up could affect the team's performance. "The biggest mistake was to underestimate Turkiye, and that proved to be the right warning, as Vincenzo Montella's side dominated the first half," said Mancini. Even though Italy had difficulties, they managed to take the lead through a goal from Gianluca Scamacca who took advantage of the opportunity after ricochet. However, Turkiye managed to equalize through Aral Simsir's goal, which was scored after constant pressure on the Italian defense.
Mancini was then relieved as the first goal for Italy by Riccardo Calafiori and the last goal from Pio Esposito ensured victory for his team. "Even though there were a lot of changes, of course there was also fatigue. We struggled at the start, but the boys managed to regain momentum and score again after conceding, so it was a good match considering it was the fourth game in a short time," Mancini told RAI Sport.
In this match, Mancini made nine changes from the line-up that previously competed in Paris, which had an impact on the fluidity of the game. "The only certainty was that we would lose some of that fluidity, and that was completely predictable. We also had two players who had already been booked, and the referee seemed inclined to give them another card, so I chose to take them off," he added.
One of the players returning to the field is Cagliari midfielder, Alessandro Romano, who is used in the mezz'ala position. Mancini believes that Romano can adapt well to the position, and he needs to play in games like this to continue to develop.
Italy ended a run of four Nations League games in 11 days by showing significant improvement from a 2-0 defeat against Belgium. During this trip, Italy also managed to beat Turkiye 4-1 in Bursa and draw 1-1 against France. Mancini hopes Italy can continue this positive form when they regroup for their final two Group A games next month, namely hosting France on November 12 and visiting Belgium on November 15. "We have to continue like this, we may have to fight to get our place in Belgium," concluded Mancini, who currently has Italy in second place in Group A with seven points, behind France who have 10 points, and above Belgium who have six points.
What happened next
With this result, Italy is expected to be able to improve the fluidity of their game ahead of the next match. Mancini will likely consider bringing back several key players to improve the team's performance. The Italian squad will continue to adapt to changes and strive to maintain positive momentum in their journey in international competitions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who scored the goal for Italy in the match against Turkiye?
Gianluca Scamacca, Riccardo Calafiori and Pio Esposito scored for Italy.
What is the final score of the match Italy vs Turkiye?
The final score of the match was 3-1 in favor of Italy.
How will this match impact Italy's position in the table?
The article does not mention any specific impact on Italy's position in the table.
When is the next match for the Italian national team?
The article does not include information about the next matches for the Italian national team.
What did Roberto Mancini say about the team's performance after making nine changes?
Mancini admitted that the lack of fluidity in his team's play was predictable after making nine changes to the line-up.