Kayode impresses on Italy debut as duel with Palestra emerges

Kayode impresses on Italy debut as duel with Palestra emerges Most Italian newspapers named Brentford defender Michael Kayode their Man of the Match after Italy’s 4-1 victory over Türkiye, with the 22-year-old capping an impressive debut by scoring his first goal with the Azzurri. Brentford defender Kayode made an impressive senior debut for Italy on Monday, contributing to the Azzurri’s 4-1 away win against Turkey with a first-half goal. Kayode impresses on Italy debut BURSA, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Kayode of Italy celebrates scoring his team’s third goal with teammate Sandro Tonali during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) Kayode also played a part in Italy’s second goal of the night, scored by Davide Frattesi, who tapped home after the Turkish goalkeeper had denied the Brentford defender’s initial effort. Gazzetta and Corriere della Sera picked Kayode as the MOTM in Bursa last night, rating him 7/10. “Socks rolled down and a languid stride. In Bura, he put his name on the scoresheet for the first time. A goal and a commanding performance. He’s flying,” wrote Gazzetta. “The plan is for Palestra, currently sidelined with an injury, to be the long-term starter on the wing. But who is going to take him out of that spot now?” asked Corriere della Sera. BURSA, TURKEY – SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Kayode of Italy crosses the ball under pressure from Eren Elmal of Turkiye during the UEFA Nations League 2026/27 group phase match between Türkiye and Italy at Atatürk Spor Kompleksi Matli Stadyumu on September 28, 2026 in Bursa, Turkey. (Photo by Ahmad Mora/Getty Images) Palestra made his senior Italy debut this past March, making two appearances under Gennaro Gattuso in Italy’s unsuccessful World Cup play-off campaign. The former Cagliari and Atalanta defender joined Chelsea on a deal worth €60m last summer, but he’s been injured for weeks and has yet to make his competitive debut for the Blues. SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA – AUGUST 01: Marco Palestra of Chelsea looks on during the Sydney Super Cup match between Chelsea FC and Tottenham at Accor Stadium on August 01, 2026 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images) Corriere dello Sport rated Kayode 7.5/10 but gave Sandro Tonali the MOTM award with an 8/10 rating. Tuttosport also rated Kayode 7.5/10, describing his debut as “magical.” Kayode had already left his mark for the Azzurri at a youth level, scoring the winning goal in the Euro U19 Final against Portugal in 2023. That team’s coach, Alberto Bollini, is now Roberto Mancini’s assistant coach. Find out more about Kayode’s career in the video below, which we published on YouTube after attending Kayode’s first Italy press conference at Coverciano last week.