Both defeated on the opening matchday, Turkiye and Italy must play catch-up in UEFA Nations League A Group 1 when they continue their campaigns on Monday.With the pair trailing behind early leaders Belgium and France, this second fixture of the international break takes place at the Yüzüncü Yıl Atatürk Stadyumu in Bursa.Download Our MozzartSport App For More NewsTurkiye produced a combative performance in their League A debut against France before falling to a 1-0 defeat, exacerbated by a late red card to goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir. ##NAJAVA_MECA_9984793##Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini's second era in charge of Italy got off to a disappointing start as the Azzurri suffered a 2-0 home loss to Belgium in Rome.Both nations are desperate to avoid an early winless slump, making this a pivotal encounter in Bursa.Kick-off: 9:45 PM (Kenyan Time), Monday 28 SeptemberVenue: Yüzüncü Yıl Atatürk Stadyumu, BursaGroup: UEFA Nations League Group A1Current standings: 3rd Italy (0 pts, -2 GD), 4th Turkiye (0 pts, -1 GD)Family affair: Ruben Van Bommel completes unprecedented three-generation Oranje legacyQualification implications: The top two teams advance to the Nations League quarter-finals, third place enters a relegation playoff, and the bottom team is automatically relegated to League B.Form GuideTurkiye: ❌ Loss vs France (0-1) ✅ Win vs USA (3-2) ❌ Loss vs Paraguay (0-1) ❌ Loss vs Australia (0-2) ✅ Win vs Venezuela (2-1)Italy: ❌ Loss vs Belgium (0-2) ✅ Win vs Greece (1-0) ✅ Win vs Luxembourg (1-0) ❌ Loss vs Bosnia and Herzegovina (1-1, 1-4 pen) ✅ Win vs Northern Ireland (2-0)Head-to-Head (Last Five Meetings)➖ Italy 0-0 Turkiye (2024 Friendly) ❌ Turkiye 2-3 Italy (2022 Friendly) ❌ Turkiye 0-3 Italy (2021 UEFA Euro) ➖ Italy 1-1 Turkiye (2006 Friendly) ➖ Italy 1-1 Turkiye (2002 Friendly)##NAJAVA_MECA_9984464##Team NewsTurkiye ❌ Ugurcan Cakir – Suspended (red card vs France). ❌ Hakan Calhanoglu – Thigh injury (out). ❌ Kenan Yildiz – Injury (out). ❌ Orkun Kokcu – Toe problem (out).Italy❌ Federico Dimarco – Muscle injury (out). ❌ Bryan Cristante – Injury (out). ❌ Manuel Locatelli – Injury (out). 🟢 Alessandro Bastoni – Available after serving a suspension.Problems for Portugal – Bruno Fernandes injured ahead of Norway matchPlayer to Watch: Arda Guler (Turkiye)Arda Guler remains the primary creative heartbeat for Vincenzo Montella's side.The Real Madrid playmaker pulled the strings in midfield against France, demonstrating superb technical quality, vision, and press resistance even under intense opposition pressure.With key orchestrators Hakan Calhanoglu and Orkun Kokcu missing through injury, an even heavier workload falls on Guler's shoulders to construct attacks and unlock Italy's defensive line.If Turkiye are to break their winless historical record against the Azzurri, Guler's delivery and creativity in the final third will be the decisive factor.🟢 Safe Bet (Low Risk)Under 3.5 Goals🟡 Smart Bet (Medium Risk)Italy to Win🔴 Long Shot (High Risk)Italy to Win to NilDisclaimer: Whilst we do our utmost to offer good advice and information, we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling.
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