Italy Shine in Nations League as Malagò Set to Become Own Commissioner

FolioPitch.com – 06 October 2026 | Today s Papers Festival of Italy as Azzurri beat Turkiye and Malagò set to become his own commissioner dominates the back pages after a night of double delight for Italian football. The Azzurri put three past Turkiye in a convincing 3-1 victory, while the Under-21s thrashed Poland 6-2 to book their place at the European Championship. Off the pitch, a political storm is brewing as FIGC president Gabriele Malagò is poised to become his own commissioner in a sensational twist that has sent shockwaves through the Italian football federation.

At the Stadio Renato Dall’Ara, Gianluca Scamacca opened the scoring for Italy, but Turkiye equalised through Simsir. However, the Azzurri responded like a true team, with Riccardo Calafiori and the in-form Pio Esposito sealing the win. The victory lifts Italy above Belgium, who were thrashed 4-1 by France, into second place in the group. Coach Roberto Mancini made nine changes from the Paris defeat, which brought less fluency and more fatigue, but the reaction to Simsir’s equaliser was that of a real team and the finish was a crescendo. Mancini declared: “Now we’re in with a shot.”

The Under-21 side, led by Baldini, produced a masterpiece in Pescara. Ndour scored twice, one from an astonishing 72 metres, as the Azzurrini secured their spot at the European Championship. An emotional Baldini said: “Special lads, they’re just too good.” The double joy was celebrated under the banner “Festa Italia” by Corriere dello Sport, highlighting the achievements of both Mancini and Baldini on the same night.

However, the headlines are not only about on-field success. The FIGC is in turmoil as president Gabriele Malagò is set to become his own commissioner, a move that La Gazzetta dello Sport calls a “sensational twist.” CONI president Luciano Buonfiglio is seeking a compromise, with the two meeting before today’s Giunta. Fresh elections would follow with a single candidate, “this time with a membership card.” The vote on the Malagò case is scheduled for 13:00, and a compromise is taking shape that would make the FIGC No 1 the commissioner. Editor Ivan Zazzaroni of Corriere dello Sport savaged the plan, calling it a “circus” in his front-page column.

In other news, Serie A squads are now worth a staggering €6.3bn, with Inter topping the list at €829m. Kenan Yildiz (€89m) and Lautaro Martinez (€88m) are the league’s most valuable players. The 25 Golden Boy finalists were unveiled in Venice, led by Barcelona’s Pau Cubarsí, with their combined value rising 56.6% since January. Meanwhile, Antonio Conte has made Juventus fans dream with his latest comments: “I want to coach a club that has lost sight of its own history.” Napoli are restarting with Aurelio De Laurentiis’s drive, as he visits Castel Volturno, while Allegri deals with an injury crisis and concern over Vergara.

As the dust settles on a remarkable night for Italian football, the focus now shifts to November and the hunt for a quarter-final place. The Azzurri have shown resilience and quality, and with players like Pio Esposito scoring seven goals in 13 games for his country, the future looks bright. Off the pitch, the governance of the game remains a contentious issue, but for now, the festival of Italy continues. Today s Papers Festival of Italy as Azzurri beat Turkiye and Malagò set to become his own commissioner will be remembered as a day when Italian football both thrilled and shocked its fans.

In conclusion, the Azzurri’s victory and the Under-21s’ qualification have provided a much-needed boost to Italian football, but the political machinations within the FIGC threaten to overshadow the on-field achievements. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining the direction of the federation and the national team’s quest for glory. For now, fans can savour the success of their teams and hope that the beautiful game remains the focus. Today s Papers Festival of Italy as Azzurri beat Turkiye and Malagò set to become his own commissioner encapsulates the dual narrative of triumph and turmoil that defines Italian football today.