Euro 2020 Report: Turkey 0 - 3 Italy

Three second-half goals gave Italy victory in the opening match of Group A to kick off Euro 2021 in some style.

It took the Italians 53 minutes to make the breakthrough, an own goal, but the clinical performance affirmed the belief of many that they’re major contenders for glory this summer.

Strikers Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne rounded off a comfortable victory after Merih Demiral had turned the ball past his own keeper early in the second half.

Turkey, by contrast, flattered to deceive. Impressive recent performances were forgotten about as they were on the back foot for most of the game.

After Andrea Bocelli’s passionate rendition of Nessum Dorma, and in front of fans yet again, it was the Italians who begun on the offensive.

Immobile saw a shot rush just past the post as the impressive Domenico Berardi played a first-time ball into his path.

As the Italians continued to press forward, Insigne linked up with Immobile to curl an effect just past the post.

The two frontmen caused the Turkish back-line countless problems with their movement in the early stages but the visitors held on.

Chances continued to go the way of the Azzuri as Giorgio Chiellini saw a header tipped over from a corner and Immobile was off target with another.

An Italian penalty shout was ruled out just before the break as a cross struck Mehmet Celik’s arm, but it was judged to be unintentional.

Both sides made changes at the break, but it was the Italians who went ahead in bizarre fashion eight minutes after the restart.

Berardi yet again provided the cross and it hit the chest of Merih Demiral before trundling past Ugurcan Cakir and into the net.

Roberto Mancini’s side went for the jugular and Cakir was forced into another save as he tipped Manuel Locatelli’s shot past the post.

It was not long before they were able to double their advantage, though. Berardi was able to measure his cross to find Leonardo Spinazzola up from left-back.

The Roma defender was his shot parried away by Cakir but Lazio striker Immobile was on hand to tap home.

Italy were not finished, though, and they sealed the win as Cakir was guilty of a poor pass out from the back, which only found Berardi.

The ball was quickly switched to Immobile and then to Insigne, who swept the ball home from the edge of the area.

Despite many substitutions in the closing stages, it was Italy who seemed more likely to add to their tally.

Turkey did have a late opportunity courtesy of the ineffectual Burak Yilmaz, as he was found in space in the area, but the veteran Chiellini was able to block him out.

Delight then for those fans inside the Stadio Olympico. Italy next face Switzerland at the same venue on Wednesday. Turkey come up against Wales on the same evening.

Turkey: Ugurcan Cakir; Caglar Soyuncu, Umut Meras, Merih Demiral, Zeki Celik; Yusuf Yazici (Cengiz Under 46), Ozan Tufan (Kaan Ayhan 65), Kenan Karaman (Halil Ibrahim Dervisoglu 75), Hakan Calhanoglu, Okay Yokuslu (Irfan Kahveci 65); Burak Yilmaz (c).

Subs not used: Mert Gunok (gk), Altay Bayindir (gk), Enes Unal, Dorukhan Tokoz, Mert Muldur, Orkun Kokcu, Ozan Kabak, Taylan Antalyali.

Booked: Caglar Soyuncu (87), Halil Ibrahim Dervisoglu (89).

Italy: Gianluigi Donnarumma; Giorgio Chiellini (c), Leonardo Bonucci, Leonardo Spinazzola; Nicolo Barella, Alessandro Florenzi (Gionvanni Di Lorenzo 46), Jorginho, Manuel Locatelli (Bryan Cristante 73); Domenico Berardi (Federico Bernardeschi 85), Ciro Immobile (Andrea Belotti 80), Lorenzo Insigne (Federico Chiesa 80).

Subs not used: Salvatore Sirigu (gk), Alex Meret (gk), Alessandro Bastoni, Francesco Acerbi, Emerson, Matteo Pessina, Giacomo Raspadori,.

Booked: None.

Referee: Daniel Makkelie (Netherlands).

Attendance: 12,916 (official).

Extratime.ie Player of the Match: Domenico Berardi (Italy).

Euro 2020 Profile: Italyhttps://t.co/BhQ33QANnPpic.twitter.com/HTNkeNVjtv

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) June 7, 2021