After the draw in Latvia, a big reaction was needed. And it came, together with a first win in the long Euro 2025 qualifying path. In Kocaeli, the Under-21 side won in Turkey (2-0) thanks to a goal at the end of the first half by Fabio Miretti and a second by Marco Nasti after the break. It was a victory full of quality, character and, above all, intensity, which Carmine Nunziata had called for from his players in the build-up to the game. "It was vital to get a result after the disappointment in Lativa," said Nunziata. "What I liked the most was our hunger to win the game. It's a win that gives us morale, which we need to take forward. We came up against a strong side, but did well to perform in the game. The goals from Miretti and Nasti? Fabio doesn't surprise me, while Marco has a great ability to attack deep in-behind."

THE GAME. Nunziata made four changes to the side that started in Jurmala: Coppola came in defence, Ndour in midfield, with Baldanzi and Esposito forming the front two. There was a good tempo to the start of the game, with Turkey aggressive and Italy soaking up the pressure and trying to surprise the home side by looking long, as instructed by the Azzurri coach. On 14 minutes, Turkey had their first chance, but Yardimci's header went just wide, following a cross from the right. Italy responded four minutes later through Casadei's left-foot hit inside the box, but it flew way over the bar. Esposito, then, from some good work by Baldanzi on the right, tried to steer one home at the front post, but it too went wide. As the half wore on, Italy became more fluid in their play and, following another Casadei shot that went over, took the lead with the last kick of the half through Miretti's superb piece of individual play on the left, before drilling it home with his right.

Sürme made two changes at the break: off went Ozcan and Potur for Aksoy and Beyaz. Turkey looked to react to going behind so late on in the half, but Italy held firm any from of the opposition's attacking moves. Just after the hour mark, Turkey made two more substitutions: Canak, one of the players to come on, tried his luck, but failed to cause any threat to Desplanches's goal. Nunziata made his first changes after 65': Miretti and Esposito were replaced by Bove and Nasti. And it was the Bari forward, eleven minutes from time, who sealed victory with a cracking 30-yard strike that got the better of Alemdar. Turkey came close to getting a lifeline: Desplanches couldn't keep hold of Bayram's shot, but did superbly well to block off Tiknaz's path. At the other end, Italy nearly grabbed their third through Fazzini, who had come on for Empoli teammate Baldanzi, and again Nasti. For the second game running, the Azzurrini kept a clean sheet, following the 0-0 draw in Latvia, and will be next back in action on Tuesday 17 October in Bolzano, where they will face Norway, who have beaten San Marino and Latvia 7-0 in their last two games. 

TURKEY 0-2 ITALY 
SCORERS: 48' p.t. Miretti, 79' Nasti

TURKEY (4-4-2): Alemdar; Yildiz, U. Yildiz, Saatçi, Bayram, Ozcan (46' Aksoy); Potur (46' Beyaz), Elmaz (61' Canak), Tiknaz, K. Yildiz; Yardimci (78' Türkmen), Destan (61' Gürlük). Unused subs: Bilgin, Karapo, Tagir, Baltaci,. Coach. Sürme
ITALY (4-3-1-2): Desplanches; Zanotti, Coppola, Pirola, Ruggeri; Ndour, Prati, Casadei; Miretti (65' Bove); Baldanzi (88' Fazzini), Esposito (65' Nasti). Unused subs: Zacchi, Ghilardi, Colombo, Oristanio, Kayode, Guarino. Coach. Nunziata

REFEREE: Gaillouste (France). (Berchebru, Evrard, IV Stinat)
NOTES: bookings for Bayram (T), Tiknaz (T)

UEFA EURO UNDER 21 2025 - GROUP A
Tuesday 12 September
Norway 7-0 Lativa 
Turkey 0-2 Italy
Rep- of Ireland 3-0 San Marino

Standings (games played in brackets): Norway (two) and Rep. of Ireland (two) 6, Italy (two) and Latvia (three) 4, Turkey (two) and San Marino (two) 0

ITALY’S SCHEDULE
Tuesday 17 October (17:45 CEST): Italy vs. Norway (Bolzano)
Thursday 16 November: San Marino vs. Italy
Tuesday 21 November: Ireland vs. Italy
Friday 22 March 2024: Italy vs. Latvia
Tuesday 26 March 2024: Italy vs. Turkey
Thursday 5 September 2024: Italy vs. San Marino
Tuesday 10 September 2024: Norway vs. Italy
Tuesday 15 October 2024: Italy vs. Ireland