Pio Esposito was joined by older brother Sebastiano in the starting lineup for Italy's Nations League match at Turkey on Monday, marking the first time two brothers have started for the Azzurri in more than a century.

It was an international debut for the 24-year-old Sebastiano Esposito, while the 21-year-old Pio had played 10 times for Italy, scoring five goals.

Pio added another goal and an assist in a dominant 4-1 victory. Sebastiano also went close on several occasions.

“I remember well my first time for the senior Italy side, as it was only last year, so I tried not to add any more pressure onto his shoulders. I hope he enjoyed it to the max,” Pio said. “It was really wonderful sharing this experience with him and I hope to do so many more times.”

Inzaghi brothers, Simone and Filippo, were the last set of brothers to play in a match together for Italy.
They were the fourth set of brothers to play in the same match for Italy, including Filippo and Simone Inzaghi in 2000.

However, the last time two brothers started the same match was in 1915, when Aldo and Luigi Cevenini scored all the goals in a 3-1 victory over Switzerland.

Moreover, Sebastiano completes a hat trick of Esposito brothers to have played for Italy. Salvatore Esposito, the oldest brother at 25, featured in one match in 2022.

It is the first time three brothers have played for Italy at senior level.

Italy find their spark in 4-1 win over Turkey
Pio had a breakout season with Inter Milan last campaign, while Sebastiano joined Sassuolo on loan from Cagliari in the summer.

Italy were much improved after kicking off its Nations League campaign with a 2-0 loss at home to Belgium on Friday, in Roberto Mancini's first match back in charge.

Italy play France on October 2 in their next Nations League game before closing things the window out with a match against Turkiye on October 5.

Sun News/ rabbi