What Italy need in Turkiye, and what finishing bottom would cost the Azzurri

What Italy need in Turkiye, and what finishing bottom would cost the Azzurri Italy travel to Turkiye as last place in Nations League Group A1, and reports from Italy frame the fixture as an early play-off to avoid finishing last. As noted by La Gazzetta dello Sport , France and Belgium are already pulling clear after one round, with Italy and Turkiye both on zero points. Winning the group looks unrealistic, so third place has become the target, and even that carries conditions. JEDDAH, SAUDI ARABIA – OCTOBER 15: Roberto Mancini coach of Saudi Arabia reacts during the FIFA World Cup Asian 3rd Qualifier Group C match between Saudi Arabia and Bahrain at King Abdullah Sports City on October 15, 2024 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images) What the rules mean for Italy Under UEFA’s revised format, the two best third-placed sides across League A stay up automatically and remain seeded for the Euro draw. The two worst third-placed teams go into play-offs against League B runners-up but keep their seeding. The two best fourth-placed sides also face play-offs, while the two worst fourth-placed teams are relegated outright. GENEVA – JUNE 05: Gokhan Inler (C) of Switzerland is challenged by Gennaro Gattuso (L) and Riccardo Montolivo of Italy during the international friendly match between Switzerland and Italy at Stade de Geneve ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa on June 5, 2010 in Geneva, Switzerland. (Photo by Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images) Finishing fourth would therefore mean a likely drop to League B and, crucially, losing top-seed status for future World Cup and European Championship draws. A draw in Bursa would be useful but defeat would force a rethink, particularly with France away next. Italy have finished bottom of a group before, at the 2010 World Cup under Marcello Lippi .