Which changes Italy could make for France after encouraging 4-1 Turkiye victory

BURSA, TURKEY - SEPTEMBER 28: Roberto Mancini, Head Coach of Italy, looks on before the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images)

A 4-1 victory away against Turkiye gave Italy and returning head coach Roberto Mancini a much needed confidence boost at the beginning of this week, but the CT is already weighing up his potential selections ahead of another difficult test away against France on Friday evening. Here is a look at the potential personnel changes that the Azzurri could make. 

Mancini’s second spell as head coach of the Italy national team got underway with a disappointing 2-0 defeat at home against Belgium last week, but a changed Azzurri side overcame Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye 4-1 thanks to goals from Alessandro Bastoni, Davide Frattesi, Michael Kayode and Francesco Pio Esposito on Monday night. 

For the Turkiye game, Mancini lined up in a 4-3-3 with debutant Kayode at right-back, Aston Villa man Matteo Ruggeri on the opposite side of full-back with Inter’s Alessandro Bastoni and Atalanta’s Giorgio Scalvini at centre-back. 

Sandro Tonali controlled the midfield department, which also included Frattesi and Nicolo Fagioli, behind a front three containing Giacomo Raspadori and the Esposito brothers (Pio and Sebastiano). 

Given that the upcoming match against France will be Italy’s third within the space of a week, it is unlikely that Mancini will stick with exactly the same starting line-up from the Turkiye victory. 

According to reports from Sky Sport Italia, Kayode is one of the players hoping to keep hold of their starting spots after his impressive debut on Monday night. Captain and goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma is also expected to remain in the starting XI. 

Sky claims that Riccardo Calafiori, who started against Belgium but was rested against Turkiye, and Gianluca Mancini, who also started against Belgium, are the defenders most likely to return to the starting line-up against France. 

There could be several alterations in midfield and attack as well: Sandro Tonali has started the last two matches and might be given a rest ahead of what would be his third match in seven days. Nicolo Barella is likely to return to the side if the Tottenham man drops out. The in-form Frattesi is hoping to keep hold of his starting spot.

It is a similar situation at centre-forward for Pio Esposito, who has started in the last two matches and could come out of the starting line-up and provide an opportunity for Moise Kean instead. 

There will be an enforced change on the wings as Raspadori has withdrawn from the squad following his involvement in the Turkiye match. 

Mancini still has plenty of options in attacking areas, and Sky claims that any two of Sebastiano Esposito, Mohamed Ali Zoma, Nicolo Cambiaghi, Samuele Inacio or Antonio Vergara could be selected to start against France.