Turkey take on Italy in the first game of the tournament that is set to take place at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The way this year’s tournament is set up with the eleven different host cities, Italy will be playing this game on their home ground, and the four-time world champions look to be a sure bet, but football is not played on paper and Turkey will definitely make this encounter interesting.
Euro 2020: Group A
Friday 11 June
Stadio Olimpico
21:00
To Win
Turkey 6/1
Draw 29/10
Italy 11/20
Turkey
Turkey are currently 50/1 to lift the Euro 2020 trophy. A few popular names that will be vital to their European cup push are Leicester City defender Caglar Soyuncu and Ozan Kabak, who spent the end of last season on loan at Liverpool. Will they be able to stop the Italian frontmen which consist of Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne is a topic that still needs to be unpacked.
Turkey’s best finish in a European tournament came in 2008 when losing in the semi-finals, while their best finish in all of international competition came at the 2002 World Cup when finishing third in the competition, which was held in Japan and South Korea.
With not many names that jump out at you, Turkey will need to show the team spirit and put together performances that replicate their teams of yesteryear.
Italy
The Azzuri are led by former Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini and come into this tournament with a team that could win it. Many football purists have labelled them as the dark horses.
The Italians have always been known for their so-called street antics which many pundits have argued have won them many a foul over the years and with many of the old guard still in the squad, we can expect more of the same.
Their defence has arguably the most experienced two defenders in the entire competition with Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci holding the fort.
Their midfield features Champions League winning midfielder Jorginho and their attack features two front men that can take apart any defence in world football on their day, with Lazio’s Immobile and Napoli’s Insigne.
To complete the Italian’s squad, they have Gianluigi Donnaruma. The AC Milan shotstopper, who is reportedly nearing a move to Paris Saint-Germain, will not make it easy for anyone to score past him.
Prediction: Italy & Under 2.5 Goals (2/1)
Italy should really give favourite backers and football experts the start that they are expecting and come through and win this. However, a Turkish fight is definitely on the cards, and the Italians should expect a few nervy moments hence the reason I am tipping Italy and Under 2.5 goals. Italy should just edge it due to the class and quality that they possess, but I do expect the Turks to be defending as if their life is on the line.
Written by Venal Naidu