The opening match of this summer’s football fiesta had dawned upon the world. All roads in Italy led to Stadio Olimpico. Italy locked horns with Turkey in this game. The world was ready to witness a mouth-watering fixture as both outfits look to kick off their Euro 2020 campaign in a staggering style.
A goal-scoring feast was on the cards, but ironically none of the teams broke the shackles at half-time. Although the men in white jersey created a galaxy of opportunities their strikers failed to capitalise.
Italy constantly found space and time as their midfield maestros were weaving their magic in the middle of the park. Trading passes, controlling the central channel, and applying unimaginable pressure, Mancini’s men were ruling the opening fixture.
DEVRE | Türkiye 0-0 İtalya #TUR #TURITA #EURO2020 #BizimÇocuklar 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/6wSLgsXHcD
— Türkiye #BizimÇocuklar 🇹🇷 (@MilliTakimlar) June 11, 2021
With the referee whistling for the second half, Italy once again came to all guns blazing. Once again looking to prove their mettle, the Azzurri’s looked for the perfect loophole. The much-awaited opening goal came just a few minutes later. A Merih Demiral own goal in the 53rd minute as the fireworks were ignited in the Italian stadium.
What followed next was a Turkish sinking. Alluring chances fell at the feet of the Italian strikers who looked to increase the scoreline. Ciro Immobile’s knack of being in the right place at the right time earned him his 14th goal for his country. A 2-0 lead after 65 minutes made the Italians look invincible.
🇮🇹 Italy score THREE in a EURO game for the first time! ⚽️⚽️⚽️#ITA #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/pCAxeFjnDo
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 11, 2021
Insigne’s heavenly finish in the last parts of the game put the 3 points in Italy’s bag. With impeccable football on display and a divine attacking mindset, a transformed Italian side could easily mirror their 1968 heroics. With a 3-0 victory in the first match, we already have glimpses of the Italian potential.
A STALEMATE AT THE BREAK
The opening fixture saw both teams playing precautionary football as both armies looked to settle their nerves. Although Italy soon established their dominance as Mancini’s men created waves and waves of attacks. Napoli’s talismanic striker, Lorenzo Insigne had the perfect opportunity to break the shackles. With some space on the left-flank, Insigne tried curling the ball into the back of the net. Unfortunately, Insigne’s hopes of making the headlines were soon washed away as the ball went miles away from the frame. With exceptional attacking flair in the Italian arsenal, the opening goal seemed inevitable.
İlk yarıdan kareler. 🇹🇷#BizimÇocuklar #EURO2020 #HereWeCame #TURITA pic.twitter.com/lAgk4ausHb
— Türkiye #BizimÇocuklar 🇹🇷 (@MilliTakimlar) June 11, 2021
Lazio’s Italian veteran, Ciro Immobile had a shy at goal twice or thrice but Turkey survived. With immaculate precision and inch-perfect passes, the stars had aligned for The Azzurri. The Turkish centre-back pairing of Soyuncu and Demiral were constantly under extraordinary amounts of pressure. Legendary defender Chiellini could have broken the deadlock but he saw his attempt being pushed away by Ugurcan Cakir. With the half-time inching closer, the stalemate screamed a Turkish upset. As the clock struck 45 minutes, the stadium witnessed a heated argument between the referee and the Italian players.
⏸️ HALF-TIME ⏸️
🚫 Chiellini header tipped over by Uğurcan Çakır…
🇹🇷🆚🇮🇹 Goalless at the break in Rome. Who's impressed you so far?#EURO2020
— UEFA Nations League (@EURO2024) June 11, 2021
The titans felt that they deserved a penalty whereas the match official had other views. A VAR check solidified the referee’s decision, as the Italians were left frustrated. With 14 thunderous chances at goal, Mancini’s troops would have been hopeful of at least one goal. Although Turkey wasn’t able to register even one shot at goal as they were forced to defend for most parts of the game. The Crescent Stars were sitting back as they looked to invite pressure. The Italians looked hungry for goals and it seemed impossible for the Turkish backline to keep them quiet for long.
THE ITALIANS DRAW FIRST BLOOD
An adventurous Turkish side looked to revamp their style of play in the second half. With an injection of pace up front in Gunes’ squad, Mancini’s army fabricated chance after chance. Just 8 minutes after the first break, the Italian pressure finally reaped the required result. Locatelli found some space and delivered a lobbed ball into the box with a friend waiting at the far post. Unfortunately, his cross collided with a diving Demiral who turned the ball into his net.
⏱️ 53' – GOOOAAAALLLLLL!
Great work from #Berardi and Demiral puts the ball into his own net! We lead! 💪#TURITA 0️⃣-1⃣#ITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/V6ufOUV4Hh
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 11, 2021
The goalkeeper was left stranded as an elated Italian outfit celebrated a messy goal. For the first time in the history of the competition, the first goal has been an own-goal. A miserable Demiral succumbed on his knees when he saw the ball sneaking into his net. A few counter-attacks by Turkey could have spoiled the Italian party but the reds were out of luck. Unnecessary mistakes and shambolic passing by Turkey saw Italy constantly manufacture world-class opportunities.
⏱️ 66' – GOOOAAAALLLLLL!#Spinazzola's attempt is saved but #Immobile converts the rebound! Get in! 😍#TURITA 0️⃣-2⃣#ITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/EUmnRkaRbI
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 11, 2021
One of them came knocking on Immobile’s door as the poacher took full advantage. The Turkish keeper Cakir made an appealing save but couldn’t handle Immobile’s rocket. An empty goal in front of him, Immobile had already pictured himself in tomorrow’s newspaper. Italy marched on as they brushed aside the first challenge from Turkey in the group stage.
GAME ONE: DONE AND DUSTED
Mancini’s Italian army couldn’t have started their Euro 2020 campaign more perfectly. A jaw-dropping attacking masterclass constantly burying the Turkish defence and leaving a mark on the competition. Lorenzo Insigne rounded off a perfect Italian match after he scored the last goal for the men in white. Once again a muddled backline gave away the ball as 4 or 5 Italian strikers rushed in to get a bite at the cherry. With Insigne in unmeasurable space, the perfect pass was played to him.
⏱️ FT – The perfect start 🙌🙌🙌#TURITA 0️⃣-3⃣#ITA #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/d3NarbZywh
— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 11, 2021
And without a frown, the Napoli striker curled the ball into the back of the net replicating his first-half effort. Stamping their authority with a 3-0 victory in the opening match, Mancini would be proud of how things have panned out. The 9th consecutive victory for the Italians proved why they could be termed as the dark horses. Immobile and Insigne getting a goal under their belt capped off the perfect day for Italy as they downed Turkey.
