Italy defeated Turkey in the first game at the Euros by a comfortable 3 goal margin. Roberto Mancini's men have now played 28 games without losing a match.
Italy were clear favourites in group A and they proved it with a dominant performance. Italy scored 3 goals for the first time in its history at the Euro finals. The victory will set the tone for the Italians who play Switzerland on matchday 2. Turkey were always going to be the underdogs against the Gli Azzurri. Turkey plays Wales in their next game in Baku where they realistically have to get at least 1 point to keep their hopes alive.
Italy started the game with a hybrid formation that would be a back 3 with the ball and back 4 when Turkey had possession. Italy ended up having the majority of the ball but failed to create any clear cut chances apart from a set-piece header from Georgio Chiellini that was saved by the Turkish Keeper. Turkey struggled to counter-attack, often losing the ball in Midfield. Italy also had 2 close penalty calls go against them in the first half.
Also Read | Top 5 Golden boot contenders at Euro 2020
In the 2nd half, both teams made a change each. Roberto Mancini replaced Allesandro Florenzi with Giovanni De Lorenzo to strictly use the 4-3-3 system which proved to be a game-changing move. De Lorenzo in no time improved Italy's movement down the right-hand side. Italy broke the deadlock in the 53rd minute through an own goal after some great play by Domenico Berardi on the right-wing. Goals in the 66th and 79th minute by Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne respectively sealed a comfortable win for Italy.
Turkey held their shape really well in the first half with some textbook park the bus defending. After conceding the goal they lost patience and committed silly mistakes in an effort to get a goal. Nothing went their way in attack and they ended up having no shots on target in the match. Informed players Haken Calhonoglu and Burak Yilmaz couldn't make any positive impact and were chasing the ball the entire game.
Man of the match:
Domenico Berardi -
The Sassuolo winger was a controversial and somewhat risky pick to start for Roberto Mancini ahead of the inform Federico Chiesa. But Berardi repaid his manager's trust by splendid performance on the right-wing. Berardi played the 1st half more like a right wing-back. But it was in the 2nd half when he really started causing trouble to the Turkish defence. His pass led to the own goal that broke the deadlock and he also played the cross that led to Ciro Immobile's goal.
To check regular updates stay tuned to Euro 2020
