Türkiye and Italy face off in crucial UEFA Nations League Group A1 clash

match and competition details

Türkiye host Italy in a UEFA Nations League Group A1 encounter on Monday, 28 September 2026. Kick-off is set for 18:45 UTC at the Yüzüncü Yil Atatürk Stadyumu in Bursa. This fixture marks the second group match for both sides as they aim to gain ground in the tightly contested group.

standings and stakes

Both teams find themselves in the play-off places zone but are yet to collect any points in the group. Türkiye sit third with one game played, having lost 0-1 in their opening match. Italy occupy fourth position after a 0-2 defeat in their opener. Neither side has scored or conceded more than the narrow margins seen in their first matches, with Türkiye having a goal difference of minus one and Italy minus two. With the group still in its early stages, this match could be pivotal in shaping the qualification landscape.

recent form and performances

Türkiye come into this game with a mixed recent record. Over their last five matches, they have secured two wins but suffered three losses, scoring five goals and conceding seven. Their most recent outing was a 0-1 home loss to France on 25 September. Prior to that, they had a 3-2 victory over the United States and losses to Paraguay and Australia, alongside a win against Venezuela. Their goalscoring rate stands at one per game, while they concede an average of 1.4 goals per match, indicating some defensive vulnerability.

Italy have shown a stronger recent run. In their last five games, they won three, drew one, and lost one, scoring five goals and conceding three. Their latest match, a 0-2 home defeat to Belgium on 25 September, halted an otherwise positive streak that included wins against Greece, Luxembourg, and Northern Ireland, plus a draw with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Italy's goalscoring and defensive records are both solid, with one goal scored per game and just 0.6 conceded on average.

head-to-head and expectations

This match sees two sides both searching for their first points in Group A1. Given their recent form, Italy may be considered to have the edge, with a better overall points haul and more consistent defensive record. Türkiye, however, have home advantage and will be keen to bounce back from their opening defeat. The encounter could be closely fought, with the potential for either side to claim a valuable win that would lift them off the bottom of the table.

Where the teams stand

Recent form