Italy beat Turkey in Euro 2020 Opener to Scare Their Tournament Rivals

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Italy won in fashion against Turkey in the first game at Euro 2020. Tied 0-0 at halftime, the hosts in Rome proved impossible to stop in the second half and scored three times to punish Turkey’s lack of belief.

Stadio Olimpico Roma Euro 2020
A wonderful ceremony at the Olimpico in Rome set up the scene before Italy against Turkey. (Image: Twitter/Euro2020)

Demiral’s own goal unblocked the scoreboard after 53 minutes, then Immobile (’66) and Insigne (’79) sent Italy cruising to a comfortable success. It’s not just ‘a win’ for Roberto Mancini’s boys. Italy’s 3-0 triumph over Turkey set a record for the highest-scoring opener in the European tournaments’ history. Also, it’s Italy’s highest-scoring game ever at a Euro!

Why should France, England, Belgium, or Germany fear Italy?

Adding the game against Turkey, The ‘Azzurri’ now won nine games in a row at the international level. In those nine games, they scored 28 times, without conceding ANY goal. Gigi Donnarumma, Italy’s keeper, kept a clean sheet in seven consecutive outings. In total, Italy is unbeaten in its last 28 games, so they are definitely no pushovers.

In front of Turkey at the Olimpico, Italy had no fewer than 24 attempts, compared to their opponents’ three. Eight of them were on target. Turkey keeper Çakır was forced into six saves. Italy’s players ran 111.27 kilometers, five more in total than the Turkish. The Italians also completed 556 passes, almost twice as much as their opponents (297).

Switzerland and Wales are also part of Grup A at Euro 2020. The two will meet on Saturday, in Baku (3 PM CET).

Donnarumma on the move

Italy’s shot-stopper will change clubs this summer. Donnarumma is a free agent after his contract with AC Milan ran out. He will sign a deal with PSG until 2026, on a $12 million yearly wage. The 22-year-old will pass his medicals in the next few days. Donnarumma made his senior debut aged 16, in 2015. Since then, he featured in 251 games at AC Milan.

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