After a long-waited year, the Euros 2020 finals start this week as Italy welcome much-improved Turkey in the first kickoff of the competition. The match schedules for Friday at Stadio Olimpico with kickoff at 10 pm.
The Azzurri might look to take home advantage at Rome, while Turkey is looking to avoid defeat in their opening match of the competition at the fifth time of asking.
Italy is four times champions in the competition and head into it with a lot of vast experience in their squad. Furthermore, the Azzurri will be looking to end half a century of European Championship hurt.
The last successive run in the competition for the Azzurri dates back to 1968. However, they prefer Group A and the favorites to make it past that and lift the Henri Delaunay trophy next month.
The appointment of Roberto Mancini has been the light at the end of the tunnel. Nevertheless, the side lacked direction and tenacity. Furthermore, La Nazionale will play each of their group stage games in the Italian capital.
On the other hand, Turkey coach Senol Gunes returned to the camp in 2019 after overseeing a third-place finish in the 2002 World Cup. Turkey is carving a name for itself as the dark horses. The side is strong contenders to make progress from the group with Wales and Switzerland.
Turkey vs Italy Head to Head
Both sides have one match against each other, with the game ending in a draw. Here is a look at their previous encounters:
Home
- Turkey 2-0 Moldova
- Turkey 0-0 Guinea
- Turk 2-0 Azerjaiban
- Turkey 3-3 Latvia
- Norway 0-3 Turkey
Away
- Italy 4-0 Czech Republic
- Italy 7-0 San Marino
- Lithuania 0-2 Italy
- Italy 2-0 Northern Ireland
- Bosnia & Herzegovina 0-2 Italy
Italy Team News
PSG midfield maestro Marco Veratti trained alone during the past week and looks less likely to feature in this clash. However, Manuel Locatelli remains poised to make his cap for the opening match. In addition, there are a few injury concerns for Roberto Mancini following their friendly win over the Czech Republic.
Turkey Team News
Veteran defender Yurak Bilmaz will lead the attacking line supported by Hakan Calhanoglu on the left flank and Yusuf Yazici. A solid defensive pairing of Merih Demiral and Caglar Soyuncu is likely to start.
Prediction and Odds
We give our due respect to Turkey given their recent improvements; we expect a low-goalscoring encounter.
- Italy Win
- Goals Under 2.5
- Insigne to Score
