Antonio Gagliardi says Sandro Tonali will be given a more creative role when Italy face Turkiye in a Nations League Group A meeting between two sides seeking their first points.
The match will be played at the Ataturk Spor Kompleski Matli Stadyumu in Bursa, with kick-off at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST). Both teams began the tournament with home defeats: Italy were beaten 2-0 by Belgium, while Vincenzo Montella’s Turkiye lost 1-0 to France.
Gagliardi, Roberto Mancini’s tactical advisor, said Italy’s approach would remain based on possession and pressing despite the extensive changes to the starting line-up.
“The coach wants an attacking team, so we need balance in the two phases, but the principles remain the same,” Gagliardi told Sky Sport Italia. “It is a team that wants to control the game with pressing and possession.”
Italy have made eight changes for the match. Alessandro Bastoni returns after suspension, while Michael Kayode and Matteo Ruggeri are both set to make their senior international debuts.
There is also a new-look attack, with brothers Sebastiano Esposito and Pio Esposito named together, alongside Giacomo Raspadori.
Gagliardi said Sebastiano Esposito’s position could change during the game as Italy continue to assess his suitability for the national team.
“Seba is a talented player, one of the young players the coach is evaluating to see if and how he can have a role in the future of this Nazionale,” he said. “He can play wide or more centrally, you will discover where as the game goes on.”
Nicolo Fagioli returns to the starting XI for the first time in 714 days, having last started in Italy’s 4-1 victory over Israel in October 2024.
Tonali is expected to operate as the main playmaker, with Fagioli also contributing creatively and Davide Frattesi encouraged to make forward runs.
“Sandro is another player who can take on several different roles, he is already taking a more constructive position at Tottenham,” Gagliardi said. “Clearly, his qualities are also as a box to box midfielder who can follow the moves and shoot.
“He will have a more creative role today along with Fagioli, allowing Frattesi those forward runs that the coach wants to see.”
Italy have had little time to prepare since Friday because of the congested fixture schedule. Gagliardi said video analysis had been used to address the problems exposed during the opening period against Belgium.
“Unfortunately, we haven’t had many training sessions, as the calendar is very tight,” he said. “I think with video sessions we can make sure the team is well-prepared.
“We analysed the first half against Belgium, but we had already made corrections at half-time and saw a very different Italy after the break.”
