Italy Defeats Turkey 3-1 as Mancini Praises Young Stars
Italy defeated Turkey 3-1 in the UEFA Nations League, with coach Roberto Mancini praising rising stars like Francesco Pio Esposito and Riccardo Calafiori.
Italy continued its strong momentum in the UEFA Nations League with a 3-1 victory over Turkey in Bologna, climbing to second place in the group. Beyond the win, head coach Roberto Mancini highlighted several young players poised to lead the Azzurri in the coming years. At the top of the list is Francesco Pio Esposito, who came off the bench to score the third goal—his seventh in just 13 international appearances.
Rising Stars Shine for the Azzurri
"I think Esposito is hungry for goals, to fight, and to play. He is exceptional," Mancini said of the 21-year-shirt striker. "I think in two years he can easily be the kind of striker who helps the team work, just like Christian Vieri and Luca Toni. Considering his physical power and technical quality, I believe he can become a great central forward."
"I think Esposito is hungry for goals, to fight, and to play. He is exceptional," said Roberto Mancini.
Esposito was not the only youngster to earn praise. Riccardo Calafiori scored his first goal for the national team, and Mancini described the Arsenal defender as someone already capable of taking responsibility: "Calafiori is already a leader. Technically, physically, and intellectually, absolutely."
Looking Ahead to the Future
The coach also mentioned Antonio Vergara, Alessandro Romano, and Issa Doumbia, explaining that building a new national team relies heavily on gaining experience. Mancini noted that despite making nine changes which disrupted their rhythm, the team's progression remains the primary objective as they fight for qualification in the Nations League.
