Mancini warns Italy against underestimating Turkey in Nations League clash

Roberto Mancini says Italy must avoid complacency when they face Turkey in the fourth round of the UEFA Nations League group stage on Monday night.

The Italy manager believes Turkey remain a strong side despite what he described as a difficult period for Vincenzo Montella’s team.

“Vincenzo Montella has done a good job as Turkey manager, and Turkey are a strong team,” Mancini told reporters.

“Turkey may not be going through their best moment, but we must remember that Montella took them back to the top level of the Nations League and qualified for the World Cup. He was not lucky.”

Mancini warned that assuming the match would be straightforward could prove costly.

“The biggest mistake we could make is to believe the game will be easy,” he said. “We must not underestimate Turkey.”

He also joked about his plans in goal, adding: “I think I will start the fourth-choice goalkeeper against Turkey.”

According to Football Italia, Mancini has left out seven players from the squad for the match. They are Massimo Bissina of Bologna, Edo Kwadwo of Monza, Daniele Ghilardi of Roma, Diego Coppola of Paris, Samuele Ricci of Como, Rolando Mandragora of Torino and Mohamed Ali Zuma of Nurnberg.

Italy defeated Turkey 4-1 in the second round of the group stage. They then drew 1-1 with France in their previous match.

The fixture also marks the first meeting between Zinedine Zidane, the France manager, and Italy in 20 years, since the 2006 World Cup final.

That match was Zidane’s final appearance in football. He was sent off after confronting Italy defender Marco Materazzi.

French supporters prepared a special choreography for Zidane because it was his first match in France.

Italy are third in the group with four points, while Turkey are bottom without a point.