📸Immobile in action (white) vs Turkey
After humiliatingly failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Italy was already back on track with a perfect qualifying campaign of 10 wins in 10 matches.
Roberto Mancini’s men waited a long time for this European Championship to start and then showed just how eager the team was to play the tournament opener and kickstarted their first major international tournament in five years with a convincing 3-0 win over Turkey.
The Azzurri dominated the clash from the start but were unable to break the deadlock before the interval as they were denied by a superb save from Çakır and a decision by the referee not to award a penalty for an apparent handball.
Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir tipped Giorgio Chiellini’s header over from a corner and Ciro Immobile headed off target before his low shot was comfortably saved whilst Dutch referee Danny Makkelie was unimpressed when a cross struck Mehmet Zeki Çelik’s arm and VAR backed his judgement shortly before the interval.
Italy deservedly broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute when Domenico Berardi took advantage of Umut Meras’ slip in the area and the Italian’s firm cross was deflected into the net off the chest of Meril Demiral.
Mancini’s side went in search of a second goal and Cakir was forced into a sprawling low save to keep out Manuel Locatelli’s shot.
Turkey were already beginning to look leggy and Italy struck their second in the 66th minute when Leonardo Spinazzola’s low shot was saved by Cakir and Ciro Immobile then quickly pounced on a loose ball inside the penalty area to smash in for Italy’s second and his 14th international goal.
Italy were still not finished and continued to push forward against a ragged Turkey and Cakir’s poor clearance went straight to Berardi and three passes later Insigne curled home an excellent finish.
Turkey’s best chance came in stoppage time, but Giorgio Chiellini’s brilliant last-ditch tackle in the area denied Burak Yilmaz a shooting chance.
The victory extended Italy’s unbeaten run to 28 matches and boosted the Azzurri’s status as a title contender.Italy lost in the quarter-finals to Germany on penalties at Euro 2016.
Italy and Turkey are joined in a tricky Group A by Wales and Switzerland, with Wales facing a tough task to go as far as the semi-finals – as they did in 2016 while Switzerland were beaten in the round of 16 five years ago, eliminated by Poland in a penalty shootout.
Wales face Switzerland in Baku today as the two sides begin their Euro 2020 campaign whilst both Italy and Turkey will play their respective second group games on Wednesday.Turkey take on Wales in Baku while the Azzurri return to the Olympic Stadium to face Switzerland.
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