Bastoni and Pio on target for Italy, Diouf makes France debut

It was a UEFA Nations League night with a strong Nerazzurri presence, as four Inter players featured prominently in the second round of fixtures. Alessandro Bastoni and Pio Esposito both found the net in Italy’s impressive win over Türkiye, while Andy Diouf made his senior debut for France. There were also valuable minutes for Piotr Zielinski, despite Poland being beaten away to Sweden.

Roberto Mancini’s Italy were looking to bounce back after Friday’s defeat to Belgium in Rome, producing a lively, determined performance in heavy rain against Türkiye in Bursa. After drawing a blank against the Red Devils, it took the Azzurri just nine minutes to open the scoring, with an Inter player getting the new era under way. Alessandro Bastoni struck Italy’s first goal under Mancini, showing great composure in the box to finish with his left foot while falling after a corner. Back in the starting XI after missing the Belgium game through suspension, the defender played the full 90 minutes.

The night continued in fine fashion for Italy, who had effectively put the game beyond reach by the 27th minute through goals from Frattesi and Kayode, with the latter superbly set up by Pio Esposito. It was a historic night for the Nerazzurri striker, who started alongside his brother Sebastiano. They became the first pair of brothers in 111 years to start together for Italy, following Aldo and Luigi Cevenini in 1915, both were Inter players. The most recent brothers to share the pitch for the Azzurri in any capacity had been Filippo and Simone Inzaghi, who played together for 11 minutes in 2000, while Giuseppe and Felice Milano also featured alongside one another on three occasions between 1912 and 1913. Pio delivered an excellent all-round performance and played a decisive role in the moves that led to Italy’s second and third goals. Early in the second half, after Yilmaz had pulled one back for Türkiye, he wrapped up the 4-1 victory with a header after Tonali’s shot had struck the post. It was Esposito’s sixth goal in 11 appearances for Italy, at the age of 21 years and 92 days. Only Giuseppe Meazza, at 19 years and 261 days, and Gianni Rivera, at 21 years and 78 days, had reached six goals for the Azzurri at a younger age. The Nerazzurri forward was replaced by Scamacca in the 75th minute.

The win moved Italy level with Belgium on three points in Group 1 of Nations League A, with France top of the standings on a perfect six points.

France followed up their opening-day win over Türkiye with another late victory, this time away to Belgium in Brussels. Olise scored the only goal of the game in the 88th minute to secure three important points for Les Bleus, who will face Italy next. It was also a significant win and an unforgettable night for Andy Diouf. The Nerazzurri midfielder was handed his first senior France appearance by head coach Zidane, starting the match in Brussels. Diouf played the full 90 minutes at left-back and helped Les Bleus see out the victory.

Risultato diverso per la Polonia di Piotr Zielinski, ultimo nerazzurro in campo nelle sfide di Nations League nella serata di lunedì. Il centrocampista nerazzurro è sceso in campo da titolare a Solna contro la Svezia, portando anche la fascia da capitano della sua Nazionale. La Svezia è andata in vantaggio nel corso del primo tempo con un gol di Nygren, pareggiato da Szymanski prima dell'intervallo. Nella ripresa le reti di Ayari e Gyokeres hanno fissato il punteggio sul 3-1 per i padroni di casa. Zielinski ha giocato 76' prima di essere sostituito da Urbanski. Con questa vittoria gli scandinavi si confermano in testa a punteggio pieno al Gruppo 4 della League B di Nations League: la Polonia si trova al terzo posto con un punto, alle spalle di Bosnia-Erzegovina (seconda a quota 4) e davanti alla Romania, ancora ferma a zero.