Three days after a disappointing start against Belgium, Italy produced exactly the kind of reaction Roberto Mancini needed.
The Azzurri defeated Türkiye 4-1 in Bursa in a match that changed dramatically after the first whistle. Mancini made eight changes to his starting XI and was rewarded with a much more aggressive, energetic and technically convincing side.
Alessandro Bastoni opened the scoring, Davide Frattesi doubled the advantage, Michael Kayode scored on his international debut and Francesco Pio Esposito completed the night after Türkiye briefly threatened to reopen the match.
It was not simply a comfortable away victory. For much of the first half, Italy looked like a team with a clear plan again.
But there is an important second part to the story: the next opponent is France.

A completely different Italy

The contrast with the Belgium game was obvious.
Mancini changed eight starters, reshaping both the defensive line and the midfield while also taking a major gamble in attack by starting Sebastiano Esposito alongside his younger brother Pio.
The result was a side that played higher up the pitch, moved the ball faster and attacked the spaces behind the Turkish defence.
Tonali became an important reference point in midfield, Frattesi repeatedly attacked forward positions and Kayode provided constant width from the right.
Italy were not simply waiting for opportunities. They were creating them.

Bastoni starts the response

The opening goal arrived in the ninth minute.
Bastoni attacked a corner and beat the Turkish defence to the ball, giving Italy an early lead.
That goal immediately changed the atmosphere and gave the visitors the confidence to continue pushing forward.
Türkiye struggled to build sustained attacks, while Italy kept finding room between the lines and on the wings.

Frattesi and Kayode make it three

The second goal came in the 22nd minute after a long passing sequence ended with Kayode shooting from the right. The goalkeeper could not hold the ball and Frattesi was in the right place to finish the rebound.
Then came one of the most memorable moments of the night.
Kayode, making his senior Italy debut, received the ball from Pio Esposito and produced a composed diagonal finish for 3-0.
For the young defender, it was an extraordinary introduction to international football.
For Mancini, it was another sign that the decision to refresh the squad could produce immediate answers.

The Esposito brothers make history

There was also a historic element to the starting lineup.
Sebastiano and Pio Esposito became the fourth pair of brothers to play together for Italy's senior national team. The previous examples were Giuseppe and Felice Milano, Aldo and Luigi Cevenini, and Filippo and Simone Inzaghi.
It was a rare moment, but the two brothers were not on the pitch simply for the story.
Sebastiano worked from the left side and contributed to the team's defensive structure, while Pio gave Italy a strong central reference point.
Their combination also helped create the third goal.

Türkiye gets one back, but Italy responds

The second half was less comfortable.
Türkiye scored through Barış Alper Yılmaz shortly after the restart and suddenly Italy had to defend much deeper.
That period exposed some of the weaknesses that had been hidden during the first half.
The Azzurri were less comfortable when forced backwards and gave Türkiye too much space around the attacking areas.
Then came the immediate answer.
Tonali hit the post and Pio Esposito reacted first to the rebound, heading home the fourth goal.
At 4-1, the match was effectively settled.

The result matters, but it does not solve everything

This is where the analysis needs to remain balanced.
The victory is significant because Italy needed points and confidence after losing to Belgium. But a single match cannot erase the problems exposed three days earlier.
Türkiye were also without Hakan Çalhanoğlu, while France will offer a very different tactical and physical challenge.
The second half in Bursa was particularly useful for Mancini because it showed what still needs to be improved.
Italy can press, attack and play vertically. The next step is learning how to control the game when the opponent takes the initiative.

Paris is the real measuring stick

France will be waiting at the Stade de France on October 2.
The French side has won both of its opening matches, beating Türkiye 1-0 and Belgium 1-0. That leaves France on six points at the top of Group A1, with Italy and Belgium on three and Türkiye on zero.
That makes the Paris game especially important.
It will not determine everything, but it should provide a much clearer picture of where Mancini's Italy currently stands.
Can Kayode handle a stronger opponent?
Can Tonali and Fagioli control the midfield under pressure?
Can the Esposito brothers continue to offer the same attacking energy?
And perhaps most importantly, can Italy reproduce the collective intensity shown in Bursa against a team capable of punishing every defensive mistake?

A young team with a long way to go

The encouraging part is that Mancini now has more options.
Kayode's debut, the Esposito brothers, Fagioli, Ruggeri and the other young players involved in the new cycle have added competition for places.
That does not mean the rebuilding process is finished. It has barely begun.
The 4-1 win in Bursa should therefore be seen as a starting point rather than a final answer.
Italy needed a reaction.
It got one.
Now comes France, and the spotlight will be much brighter.

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