Italy beat Turkey 4-1, but has Roberto Mancini found the right team? Vos and Motts break down the Azzurri’s Nations League response after the 2-0 defeat to Belgium and debate who should start against France.
Michael Kayode impresses, Pio Esposito makes his case as Italy’s starting striker, and Sandro Tonali leads as captain. But should Giovanni Di Lorenzo and the old guard still be part of the plan?
In this Calcio Culture international break special, we discuss:
• What went wrong against Belgium and what changed against Turkey
• Kayode versus Di Lorenzo at right back
• Pio Esposito, Sebastiano Esposito and Italy’s attacking options
• Calafiori, Bastoni and Scalvini in the defensive rebuild
• Tonali, Barella and Frattesi: finding the right midfield balance
• Italy’s best starting XI for France
• Whether Mancini should prioritize results or developing the next generation
We also cover the latest Serie A talking points involving Parma, Udinese and Roma’s stadium plans.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Italy international break special
01:09 Parma coaching news: Cuesta and Gilardino
03:01 David Alaba and Udinese discussion
05:06 Roma stadium plans and Italy’s stadium projects
07:08 Italy’s Nations League fixtures
07:44 Italy 0-2 Belgium: what went wrong?
12:15 Turkey 1-4 Italy: a different Azzurri
13:49 Kayode, Frattesi and Pio Esposito impress
18:30 Tonali as captain and Italy’s mentality
20:17 Second-half concerns and squad rotation
24:08 Nations League standings and the France test
26:10 Picking Italy’s best XI
27:09 Calafiori or Dimarco at left back?
28:32 Bastoni, Scalvini and the defensive options
29:57 Kayode versus Di Lorenzo
31:13 Tonali, Barella and the midfield balance
33:55 Italy’s missing midfield controller
35:32 Should Frattesi complete the midfield?
37:53 Could Cristante help against France?
40:05 Building the attack around Pio Esposito
42:47 Formation choices and selection omissions
46:35 What does Mancini need to get right?
52:11 Your Italy XI and closing thoughts
YOUR SAY: Who should start against France, and which players would you leave out? Drop your Italy XI in the comments.
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