Ikhtisar Derby County Academy

The tournament might not kick-off for the best part of two years, but the extended international break offered some early clues as to how the challengers are shaping up

Vincenzo Montella is reportedly on the brink of being dismissed as head coach of the Turkish national team following a disastrous run of results in the Nations League. The Turkish Football Federation has moved quickly to identify a successor, with former Atletico Madrid and Barcelona midfielder Arda Turan the leading candidate to take the reins.

Vincenzo Montella has issued a come-and-get-me plea to the Turkish Football Federation, insisting he remains the right man to lead the national team forward. Despite a bruising Nations League campaign that has left Turkey rooted to the bottom of their group, the Italian coach believes his side is showing significant signs of progress against elite opposition.

Gianluca Scamacca played a starring role as Italy continued their impressive upward trajectory under Roberto Mancini with a hard-fought victory over Turkey in Bologna. The Azzurri had to withstand significant pressure at the Renato Dall'Ara Stadium but eventually secured three vital points to bolster their hopes of reaching the Nations League knockout stages.