Italy-Turkey is a friendly and will be played Tuesday at 9 p.m.: odds, predictions, statistics, live free-to-air TV and streaming.
Reigning European champions Italy’s debut at the European Championships in Germany is approaching, and Luciano Spalletti’s national team, which has landed in a tough group that also includes Spain and Croatia, can’t possibly miss its debut match with Albania, scheduled for June 15 in Dortmund.
Before that date the Azzurri will play two friendlies, the first against Vincenzo Montella’s Turkey and the second against Bosnia. The result, as is often the case in these cases, will count relatively. The former coach of the Scudetto-winning Napoli will take the opportunity to do a dress rehearsal ahead of the challenge with the Albanian representative and, above all, to have clearer ideas about the form and starting lineup. In the meantime, not good news continues to arrive: after Acerbi’s forfeit, who was forced to undergo surgery due to pubalgia, Atalanta’s young defender Scalvini was also injured during the match between Dea and Fiorentina’s recovery. Defense a bit to reinvent, then, for Spalletti, who has already pre-alerted Juventus’ Gatti. Italy played their last friendlies last March, both in the United States. Against Venezuela and Ecuador came two victories but the Azzurri did not fully convince.
Turkey, on the other hand, is fresh off two defeats that rang a small alarm bell after a resounding comeback in the qualifying round that allowed Calhanoglu and his teammates to finish in first place ahead of top-ranked Croatia. The Montella-coached selection in March lost 1-0 to Hungary and was overwhelmed even 6-1 by Austria.
The latest lineup news
The Azzurri defense will consist of Darmian, Buongiorno and Bastoni, but Calafiori, among the best in Bologna this year, and Gatti are also likely to find space in the match. A four-man midfield with Di Lorenzo and Dimarco on the flanks, while Barella and Jorginho will act in the middle. Behind the only forward Scamacca – ahead in the duel with Genoan Retegui – Spalletti will deploy Pellegrini and Chiesa.
On the other side Montella deploys behind the only forward the Juventus teenager Yildiz, strongly wanted by the Italian coach – the player could also choose Germany, having dual nationality – Calhanoglu and Akturkoglu. An assorted trio ready to support Galatasaray striker Yilmaz. Only bench for Real Madrid jewel Arda Guler.
UPDATE: Barella forfeits due to muscle discomfort, with Spalletti set to return to a four-man defense. Vicario in goal, Jorginho and Cristante in the middle and Retegui preferred to Scamacca in attack.
The prediction
The last precedent between Italy and Turkey dates back to March 2022, a friendly that the Azzurri played with morale underfoot as they had just failed miserably to qualify for the Qatari World Cup. At that time it ended in a resounding 3-2, and this time, too, the conditions seem to be in place for an eventful match, even taking into account the offensive ideas of the two technical commissioners. Both are expected to score.
The probable lineups of Italy-Turkey
ITALY (4-2-3-1): Vicario; Di Lorenzo, Mancini, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Cristante; Orsolini, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Retegui.
TURKEY (4-2-3-1): Gunok; Celik, Bardacki, Kabak, Ozkacar; Calhanoglu, Kokcu; Akturkoglu, Yazici, Yildiz; Yilmaz.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
