In a clash between two World Cup play-off losers, Italy came from behind to win 3-2 in Turkey. Raspadori scored twice
Both nations suffered bitter setbacks in the World Cup play-off semi-finals last Thursday. Turkey lost 3-1 in Portugal, while Italy suffered an embarrassment in a 1-0 defeat to North Macedonia.
Turkey got off to the better start in the friendly, celebrating after just three minutes: Cengiz Ünder completed a solo through the legs of Donnarumma to take an early lead (4th). Only a few minutes later, Stefan Kuntz had to react because Kabak was injured and brought on Ayhan for him. The Italians then took control of the game, but did not manage much. Scamacca only hit the outside of the net (10th) and Zaniolo failed several times from distance (6th, 19th).
Debuts for Zaccagni and Özcan
A standard then brought Italy back into the game: Berardi’s free-kick found Cristante, who headed powerfully in for the equaliser (35th). Raspadori turned the game in favour of the visitors after a misplaced shot by the Turkish keeper Bayindir (39.). Calhanoglu put the last exclamation mark before the break with a great shot from distance, which Donnarumma scratched from the angle (45.).
In the second half, when Roberto Mancini substituted Zaccagni and allowed him to make his national team debut, the former team-mates met again: Calhanoglu fired in a direct free-kick, which Donnarumma saved well (51). After just over an hour, the next debutant took the field: Kuntz brought on Cologne’s Özcan, who had recently opted for the Turkish national team.
Raspadori decides before
The Turkish game then became more orderly only briefly. Ayhan missed the equaliser after a corner (64th), then Turkey conceded their third goal due to the negligence of their defence: Raspadori scored from close range to make it 3:1 (69th).
In the final phase, things suddenly got exciting again: After Söyüncü’s header, substitute Dursun dusted off the ball to make it 2:3 (83rd). And Turkey kept up the pressure: Dursun forced Donnarumma into a brilliant save (85th), before Zaccagni deflected a volley by Cengiz Ünder (90.+1). The substitution of veteran Bonucci (for double goal scorer Raspadori) and the switch to a five-man backline for the final minutes left the Italians with nothing to burn and the Squadra Azzurra claimed their first win of 2022.
Turkey’s next scheduled international match will be their Nations League opener on 4 June when they host Faroe Islands. Italy will first play the Finalissima (European champions against Copa America winners) against Argentina on 1 June, before facing Germany in the Nations League on 4 June.
