Join us for all the build-up and action from Italy’s friendly in Turkey, the no consolation prize for both losing the World Cup play-off semi-finals.
It kicks off in Konya at 19.45 UK time (18.45 GMT).
The Azzurri missed out on the second consecutive edition of the World Cup after a 1-0 home defeat to North Macedonia, having over 30 shots on goal to four.
Turkey were beaten 3-1 in Portugal, although Burak Yilmaz missed a penalty that would’ve made it 2-2, and retired from international duty after that, handing the captain’s armband to Inter midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu.
Nobody is eager to play this friendly, but they nonetheless go head-to-head with Italy never having lost to Turkey after eight wins and three draws, including 3-0 at UEFA EURO 2020.
As it is not a competitive match, there is no VAR.
Hope we can get this win tonight and start out on the long road back to the top
I’m able to comment in the Liveblog but comments are not going through in the comments sec. Has happened in other articles too few days back. I’m sure this post will go through but not the comment I wanted to make. I checked it many times for any problematic words but dont think there is any…
Replying to M’s comment (made in reply to mine) on Conte in the Liveblog:
You forgot that Verratti and Marchisio got injured just before Euro 2016 and that’s why Conte couldn’t pick them and he was upset about it. He got criticized by some quarters on not bringing in Jorghino then. Also he didn’t pick Pirlo and no one criticized him as he was at the fag end of his career 36/37 yrs old playing in MLS. Which quality players did Conte leave out according to you?
Under Conte in Euro 2016 against Spain .. was one of the all time best performances of Azzurri in a major tournament. We dominated and played quality football. We won 2-0 but could have won 4/5 – 0 which didn’t happen due to De Gea’s excellent performance. In contrast remember the match with Spain in the Euros we won?
Mancini rejuvenated the Azzuri after the disasterous 2018 WC non qualification and under him the team played quality football, put up the 32 match unbeaten record and the biggest Gift to all us supporters .. the Euro victory .. a cup we won only once before that way back in 68. So I’m grateful to Mancini. Respect him. He has been at the helm for 4 years, shares a good rapport with the Fed, knows all the deficiencies in Calcio and this time around hopefully he will get more support from them and also he would have learnt a lot from his and the players’ mistakes after this disaster ous qualification run. I am strongly behind Mancini but just want him to leave his stubborness with some aspects like timing of subs, tactics etc He more than anyone else will know that crucial mistakes were made and he more than anyone else currently is the right person to take the team forward…
Forza Azzurri sempre 👊💙