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UEFA Euro 2020 belatedly kicked off at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, as Turkey and Italy locked horns in an intriguing Group A encounter. Opening games don't usually produce too many goals, but Roberto Mancini and co re-wrote the script with a commanding 3-0 victory after a clinical second-half display.
Italy saw a lot of the ball in the opening exchanges and took control of the game, as they raced off the blocks and pressed Turkey's backline. Lorenzo Insigne looked lively on the left flank and was arguably the best player on the pitch in the first 45 minutes, as he saw a lot of the ball and tried to make things happen.
Turkey didn't create too many chances and failed to retain the ball in midfield, as Italy dominated proceedings in the center of the park. The best chance of the first half fell to veteran defender Giorgio Chiellini, whose header was brilliantly tipped over the bar by Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.
The game didn't lack intensity, but neither side was able to break the deadlock in the first half.
Turkey lost a bit of discipline and composure in the second half and fell behind, albeit in unfortunate circumstances. Domenico Berardi’s clever run and cross into the box was inadvertently turned into his own net by Merih Demiral, who couldn’t adjust his body in time to clear his lines.
Italy took control of the game minutes later and doubled their lead through Ciro Immobile. The Lazio striker showed his striker’s instinct with a close-range finish after Cakir had made a brilliant save to deny Leonardo Spinazzola. Insigne capped off a fine performance with a superb game late in the game, as he curled a right-footed shot into the back of the net after being played in by Immobile.
Cengiz Under came on as a second-half substitute and delivered an eye-catching cameo, but Turkey could not overturn the three-goal deficit despite their best efforts.
As Italy capped off their return to the big stage with a convincing victory in front of their home fans, here are five talking points from the game.
#5 Ugurcan Cakir spoils impressive display with a late error for Turkey
Highly-rated goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir showed his class with an assured display between the sticks for Turkey, but his late error meant he finished the game on a sour note. The 25-year-old is hailed as one of the biggest talents to come out of his country in recent years and lived up to his billing with a classy display, as he kept his side in the game with a stunning save from a Chiellini header.
Cakir's distribution also came to the fore in the first half. He completed a wide array of passes and came off his line with conviction to deal with dangerous situations, indicating that he has all the makings of a top-class goalkeeper.
While he couldn't do much for the first two goals, his careless pass led to Insigne's goal that put the icing on the cake for Italy. It could be argued that his error didn't affect the result as such, but Cakir will realize that the life of a top-flight goalkeeper is as hard as it comes after costing his team a goal late in the game.
#4 Italy’s wreak havoc from the left flank in Euro 2020 opener
With Leonardo Spinazzola stationed at left-back and Lorenzo Insigne on the wings, Italy caused a lot of damage from the left flank and reaped their rewards in the second half.
Insigne was arguably the best player on the pitch, as he troubled the Turkey backline with his dribbling ability and linkup play. Spinazzola, on the other hand, was a live wire on the pitch and played his part in Italy’s third goal, while he also defended resolutely.
It was virtually the perfect display from the Italians, with their left flank delivering the goods in some style.
Also Read: Strongest possible starting XI for England | UEFA Euro 2020
#3 Italy record 8th successive clean sheet in all competitions
When you look back on the Italian teams over the years, defensive solidity immediately springs to mind. The Azzurri have produced some of the greatest defenders of all time and it goes without saying that keeping things tight at the back has been the foundation of their success in the past.
Under Roberto Mancini, it's been more of the same. The last time they conceded a goal was in October 2020 when Netherlands midfielder Donny van de Beek scored an equalizer in a 1-1 draw in the UEFA Nations League.
Euro 2020 began in similar fashion, as they defended commendably and bullied the threat posed by Turkey with consummate ease. Giorgio Chiellini's reaction after making a last-ditch challenge in the dying moments of the game summed up Italy's grit and determination to keep a clean sheet regardless of the situation.
#2 Turkey took their foot off the gas in the second half
While Italy dominated proceedings in the first half, they failed to create too many clear-cut chances, as Turkey looked solid at the back. However, in the second half, Senol Gunes' side threw too many bodies forward and paid the price for it, as Italy found pockets of room inside their penalty area to punish them emphatically.
As the game went on, Turkey's indiscipline also came to the fore, as they made a series of rash challenges after letting the game slip in the second half. They face Wales and Switzerland in the games ahead and will need to regroup immediately after being put to the sword in the opening game of Euro 2020.
#1 Italy return to the big stage in style
In what has been a long road back to the top for Italy, they capped off their return to a major tournament with a magnificent all-round display. The Azzurri have improved tremendously under Roberto Mancini and showed that they could be a force to be reckoned with at Euro 2020 by recording a convincing victory in front of their home fans.
It was the perfect display from the Italians, as they took control of the game in the opening exchanges and reaped the rewards in the second half after a flurry of attacks. They scored three goals on the night and recorded a clean sheet, while their midfielders controlled the game in the center of the park to play Turkey off the park.
Mancini has awakened a sleeping giant and overseen a remarkable transformation of a squad that needed surgery, but only time will tell how Italy fare in the games ahead. The early signs, though, are incredibly positive.
Also Read: 5 surprise contenders for the Player of the Tournament award at Euro 2020
