Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori scored his first senior Italy goal as the Azzurri beat Turkey 3-1 on Monday, marking a memorable return to his former home in Bologna.
Calafiori headed Italy back in front shortly after Turkey’s equaliser at the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara. Francesco Pio Esposito then added the third to secure the Nations League victory.
It was a particularly significant setting for the defender, who helped Bologna qualify for the Champions League before joining Arsenal.
Speaking to Rai afterwards, in comments reported by Il Resto del Carlino, Calafiori described the emotion of reaching the milestone in a city that remains special to him.
Calafiori makes his mark after earlier Italy omission
The goal provided a different ending to this meeting with Turkey after Calafiori remained an unused substitute in Italy’s previous victory over the same opponents.
Gianluca Scamacca had opened the scoring on Monday before Aral Simsir brought Turkey level.
As Sky Sport’s match summary records, Calafiori restored Italy’s advantage just three minutes later, ensuring the visitors’ recovery was short-lived.
He now turns his attention back to Arsenal, who host Leeds United on Saturday.
Mikel Arteta has several defensive decisions to make, with the returns of Ben White, Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie to training widening his options.
Calafiori heads into those preparations with a personal milestone secured and a decisive contribution to Italy’s latest victory.
