Esposito brothers make history for Italy, first time starting since 1915

Esposito brothers make history for Italy, first time starting since 1915 Sebastiano Esposito joins little brother Pio in the XI for Italy, the first time two siblings have started for the Nazionale since 1915, but the family makes history with three brothers. It kicks off at the Ataturk Spor Kompleski Matli Stadyumu in Bursa at 19.45 UK time (20.45 CEST). You can follow all the build-up and action as it happens on the Liveblog. The pressure is already on the Azzurri after their 2-0 Nations League home defeat to Belgium, so Roberto Mancini makes a massive eight changes to the side that started that match. Esposito brothers in history books ROME, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 25:Pio Esposito of Italy compete for the ball with Nathan Ngoy during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Italy and Belgium at Stadio Olimpico on September 25, 2026 in Rome, Italy. (Photo by Marco Rosi/Getty Images) One of the only survivors from the Stadio Olimpico loss is Pio Esposito, but he is joined in the trident attack by his big brother Sebastiano. There have been brothers in the same Italy team before, including Simone and Pippo Inzaghi, but together from the start is a genuine rarity. It has not happened since Aldo and Luigi Cevenini ran out for Italy against Switzerland in 1915 , with both players who managed to get on target in a chaotic 9-4 result. REGGIO NELL’EMILIA, ITALY – SEPTEMBER 13: Sebastiano Esposito of US Sassuolo reacts during the Serie A match between US Sassuolo and Juventus at Mapei Stadium – Citta’ del Tricolore on September 13, 2026 in Reggio nell’Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Emmanuele Ciancaglini/Getty Images) There is even more history made by the Esposito family, though, because Sebastiano completes the hat-trick. Pio is a regular for the Azzurri and the youngest of the brothers at 21, but 25-year-old Salvatore had already made his senior Italy debut in June 2022 under coach Mancini. Salvatore is currently in Serie B playing for Sampdoria. LA SPEZIA, ITALY – AUGUST 18: Salvatore Esposito of Spezia celebrates after scoring the determining penalty-kick during a shoot-out in the Coppa Italia match between Spezia Calcio and UC Sampdoria at Stadio Alberto Picco on August 18, 2025 in La Spezia, Italy. (Photo by Simone Arveda/Getty Images) Tonight is the debut for Sebastiano, who turned 24 in July and joined Sassuolo this summer. Never before has a family of three brothers all played for Italy at senior level.