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Montella turns to Arda Guler as Türkiye plots Italy breakthrough in Bursa

Arda Guler and Sandro Tonali are pictured in an AI-assisted photo collage ahead of Türkiye's UEFA Nations League clash with Italy. (AI-assisted photo collage by Türkiye Today team)
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Arda Guler and Sandro Tonali are pictured in an AI-assisted photo collage ahead of Türkiye's UEFA Nations League clash with Italy. (AI-assisted photo collage by Türkiye Today team)
September 28, 2026 02:17 PM GMT+03:00

Türkiye head coach Vincenzo Montella is expected to set up his side with an aggressive pressing game against Italy in Bursa, as the national team looks to address the attacking problems that emerged in its 1-0 defeat to France.

Montella's plan is reportedly centered on preventing Italy from comfortably playing out from the back, while giving Türkiye's creative players a greater role in carrying the ball into the final third.

Arda Guler (R) of Turkiye competes against Maxence Lacroix (L) of France during the UEFA Nations League A Group 1 match between Türkiye and France at Kocaeli Stadium in Kocaeli, Türkiye, on September 25, 2026. (AA Photo)
Arda Guler (R) of Turkiye competes against Maxence Lacroix (L) of France during the UEFA Nations League A Group 1 match between Türkiye and France at Kocaeli Stadium in Kocaeli, Türkiye, on September 25, 2026. (AA Photo)

Arda Guler, Can Uzun expected to take on creative burden

With Hakan and Kenan unavailable, Arda Guler and Can Uzun are expected to become more influential in Türkiye's build-up and attacking play.

Rather than allowing Italy to settle into possession, Türkiye is expected to push higher up the pitch and try to keep its opponent inside its own half, using the home support in Bursa to maintain pressure.

The approach would also put greater emphasis on getting the ball quickly to Türkiye's creative players, particularly Arda, who is expected to operate at the center of Montella's attacking setup.

Türkiye's Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella gives a press conference in Kocaeli stadium in Izmit, Türkiye, Sep. 24, 2026, (AFP Photo)
Türkiye's Italian head coach Vincenzo Montella gives a press conference in Kocaeli stadium in Izmit, Türkiye, Sep. 24, 2026, (AFP Photo)

Wide areas could become key against Italy defense

Montella is also expected to make greater use of Türkiye's wide players and overlapping full-backs as part of an attempt to pull Italy's defensive shape apart.

The hosts struggled to turn their attacking play into goals against France, and finishing is therefore expected to be another priority against Italy, with the coaching staff seeking greater precision in the final phase of attacks.

Türkiye is also reportedly preparing to keep close watch on Sandro Tonali, with the Italy midfielder expected to face tight marking designed to keep him from settling into a rhythm and controlling play through the center.

Italy's Italian headcoach Roberto Mancini takes part in a training session on the eve of the UEFA Nations League football match (League A, Group A1) between Türkiye and Italy in Bursa on September 27, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Italy's Italian headcoach Roberto Mancini takes part in a training session on the eve of the UEFA Nations League football match (League A, Group A1) between Türkiye and Italy in Bursa on September 27, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Mancini signals continuity in Italy setup

Italy coach Roberto Mancini, meanwhile, indicated ahead of the match that he was not planning a major tactical change against Türkiye.

Asked about dissatisfaction among Italian supporters, Mancini acknowledged the reaction and said the team was looking to turn the situation around.

"Fans may be unhappy. I understand their reaction. We aim to change this," Mancini said.

The Turkish National Football Team attend a training session ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League A Group 1 match between Turkiye and Italy, in Bursa, Türkiye on September 27, 2026. (AA Photo)
The Turkish National Football Team attend a training session ahead of the upcoming UEFA Nations League A Group 1 match between Turkiye and Italy, in Bursa, Türkiye on September 27, 2026. (AA Photo)

Türkiye, Italy likely lineups

Türkiye's expected starting lineup includes Altay Bayindir, Abdulkerim Bardakci, Merih Demiral, Zeki Celik, Ismail Yuksek, Salih Ozcan, Ferdi Kadioglu, Oguz Aydin, Arda Guler, Kerem Akturkoglu and Baris Alper Yilmaz.

Italy is expected to line up with Gianluigi Donnarumma, Riccardo Calafiori, Alessandro Bastoni, Giorgio Scalvini, Michael Kayode, Issa Doumbia, Sandro Tonali, Davide Frattesi, Nicolo Cambiaghi, Moise Kean and Francesco Pio Esposito.

September 28, 2026 02:17 PM GMT+03:00
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