Leonardo Spinazzola and Ciro Immobile starred as Italy thrashed Turkey 3-0 in the opening game of the UEFA Euro 2020 in Rome on Friday night.
From the word go, it was Italy who were doing all the attacking as Turkey held firm at the back. Giorgio Chiellini came the closest to scoring in the first half with a headed effort getting tipped over the crossbar by Ugurcan Cakir while Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Berardi missed from decent positions, as the two teams went in at half-time on level terms.
The game opened up more after the half-time break with Turkey showing a little more adventure. And that hurt them as they lost their discipline at the back, allowing Italy to pounce. The Azzurri went in front in the 53rd minute as a pacy cross from Domenico Berardi was turned into his own net by Merih Demiral.
Thirteen minutes later, Ciro Immobile made it 2-0, pouncing on a rebound after Spinazzola’s initial effort had been stopped by Cakir. The win was rounded off by Insigne, who curled home a beautiful right-footed strike in the 79th minute, to seal an emphatic triumph for Roberto Mancini’s men, underlining why they are considered as one of the favourites to win the tournament.
Here are our player ratings for both sets of players after an enticing opening to the summer extravaganza in Rome on Friday.
Turkey
Ugurcan Cakir: 5/10
⏸️ HALF-TIME ⏸️
? Chiellini header tipped over by Uğurcan Çakır…
????? Goalless at the break in Rome. Who's impressed you so far?#EURO2020
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 11, 2021
Made a good reaction save to deny Chiellini in the first half and got down well to stop Manuel Locatelli in the second, with the score at 1-0. Unsighted for Spinazzola’s effort but did manage to stop it, although he couldn’t stop the rebound from Immobile. At fault for the third with a poor pass played straight into Berardi leading to the goal.
Zeki Celik: 5/10
Held things tight in the first period even as Insigne and Spinazzola probed. Lost the plot after the break as he conceded way too much space on his side, allowing Spinazzolla to wreak havoc. Not much of a presence going forward.
Merih Demiral: 4/10
Part of a solid defensive setup in the first half and dealt well with crosses into the box. Much like the rest of the defenders, lost his discipline after the break. Scored the own goal which opened the floodgates and wasn’t able to stop the Italy forwards from that point on.
This is the first time in European Championship history that the opening goal of the tournament has been an own goal.
Merih Demiral goes into the history books. #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/aMHj7SW5fq
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 11, 2021
Caglar Soyuncu: 5/10
Did his bit to help his side stay in the game in the first period, although there were some nervy moments along the way. Not at fault directly for any of the goals but crumbled under Italy’s intense pressure. Booked.
Umut Meras: 4/10
Found it hard to deal with the dangerous Berardi on his side. Allowed the Italian too much freedom to get into dangerous positions, with one such moment leading to the opening goal.
Okay Yokuslu: 6/10
Stationed in the middle of the park to curtail the threat of the Italy midfielders, he did well to cut out attacks in the first period. Grew tired as the game wore on though and was replaced in the 65th minute.
Kenan Karaman: 4/10
A near anonymous display from the forward apart from a couple of exchanges with Burak Yilmaz at the top. Did try to help out defensively, but just not good enough going forward.
Ozan Tufan: 5/10
Overpowered by the pressure of the Italy midfielders, Tufan spent most of the game chasing shadows. Couldn’t offer defensive support to Yokuslu, and neither did he make much of an impact in attack.
Yusuf Yazici: 4/10
One of the three title-winners with Lille in the starting XI for Turkey, Yazici hardly did anything of note for the duration he was on the pitch. Made way for Cengiz Under at half-time.
Hakan Calhanoglu: 4/10
One of the Players in Focus in our match preview, Calhanoglu was supposed to act as Turkey’s chief creative outlet. But hardly got going on the night, which will be a major concern for Senol Gunes & co.
Burak Yilmaz: 5/10
What a dive by Yilmaz! #TUR #TURITA pic.twitter.com/kW6YeeyDdb
— Rodney Watson (@RodneyMWatson) June 11, 2021
Not a lot of service coming his way but never stopped running the channels and trying to make the most of whatever little came his way. Should have been booked for a blatant dive, though.
SUBSTITUTES
Cengiz Under: 6/10
On for Yazici at half-time. Livened things up in attack but couldn’t make a telling impact.
Kaan Ayhan: 5/10
Replaced Tufan just after the hour mark. Couldn’t stop Italy from scoring.
Irfan Kan Kahveci: 5/10
Came on for Yokuslu in the 65th minute. Could not alter the course of the game.
Halil Dervisoglu: N/A
Sent on in place of Karaman with less than 15 minutes left. Booked.
Italy
Gianluigi Donnarumma: 6/10
Gianluigi Donnarumma is the first goalkeeper other than Gianluigi Buffon to keep a clean sheet for Italy at a major tournament since Francesco Toldo at Euro 2000.
From one Gigi to another. ? pic.twitter.com/6Jh1ET7vzQ
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 11, 2021
One of the easiest clean sheets he will have kept in his career. The PSG-bound goalkeeper was hardly called into action by the Turkish side.
Alessandro Florenzi: 6/10
Preferred at right-back, he defended valiantly but did not offer much in terms of attacking threat. Taken off at half-time for Giovanni Di Lorenzo.
Leonardo Bonucci: 7/10
Bossed over the Turkish attack with ease, not giving Yilmaz an inch. Accurate as ever with his distribution, even fancied a couple of efforts on goal from distance but they were not on target.
Giorgio Chiellini: 7.5/10
Captain Fantastic. He may be closing in on 37, but was as sprightly and aggressive as ever. Did not let anything get him by at the back, celebrating a late tackle like he had scored a goal. Pushed forward with intent, even came close to scoring with a headed effort that was saved.
Leonardo Spinazzola: 8/10
Leonardo Spinazzola's game by numbers vs. #TUR
100% shot accuracy
83 touches
6 touches in the opp. box
5 ball recoveries
4 crosses
4 take-ons attempted
3 take-ons completed
2 interceptions
1 chance created
0 fouls conceded https://t.co/e0UuX6bwZR— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 11, 2021
A fine start to the campaign for the left-back, who was a constant attacking outlet for the Italians, romping up and down the field with purpose. Delivered a number of crosses and played a crucial role in the second goal, with his shot being saved for Immobile to score from the rebound.
Nicolo Barella: 7.5/10
Drove Italy forward each time he got on the ball and was involved in the moves for the first and the third goals, first playing Berardi in, who forced the own goal before passing to Immobile who set Insigne up for the third. Helped Italy dominate the midfield.
Jorginho: 8/10
Was crucial to Italy controlling the proceedings as they did on the night. Recycled possession quickly and efficiently, ensured that his team stayed on the front foot with his accurate distribution. Showed why he is such a pivotal part of this team.
Jorginho's game by numbers vs. #TUR
◉ Most interceptions (4)
◉ Most tackles made (3)
◎ 100% take-ons completed
◎ 94% pass accuracy
◎ 92 touches
◎ 12 final ⅓ entries
◎ 6 ball recoveries
◎ 3 chances created
◎ 2 take-ons
◎ 0 fouls concededCruising. #ITA pic.twitter.com/OicXiBUpyY
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 11, 2021
Manuel Locatelli: 7/10
Starting in place of the injured Marco Verratti, the midfielder, who is a transfer target for Real Madrid, enjoyed a positive display. Was good with ball at his feet, alert to any threat without possession and even forced a save from Cakir in the second half.
Domenico Berardi: 7.5/10
Lively in the final third, the Sassuolo winger looked up for the game from the start. There were occasions when he could have opted for better decisions but nevertheless a largely positive performance where he offered incision and purpose. Forced the opening goal with his dangerous cross then found Spinazzola with a fine cross in the lead-up to the second and capitalised on a loose pass from Cakir in the buildup for the third.
Ciro Immobile: 8/10
A frustrating first half for the main man for Italy, but continued to run the channels and make smart movements in behind the Turkish defence. Burst into life after the break as the game opened up. Showed his poacher’s instincts to score the second goal before setting Insigne up for the third goal of the game. A great way to start the tournament.
For the first time in his international career, Ciro Immobile has scored for Italy at a major tournament.#ITA are looking good. pic.twitter.com/ZGPaS7OMPB
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) June 11, 2021
Lorenzo Insigne: 7/10
Not always at his best as he squandered a couple of decent chances in the first period. But posed a constant threat, with his combination play with Spinazzola being a big feature of Italy’s gameplay on the night. Rounded off the game with a stunning strike that curled its way into the back of the net.
SUBSTITUTES
Giovanni Di Lorenzo: 6/10
On for Florenzi at half-time. Offered a bit more going forward. Not tested defensively.
Bryan Cristante: N/A
On for Locatelli with 15 minutes left.
Andrea Belotti: N/A
Showed good intent and energy after coming on for Immobile in the 81st minute.
Federico Chiesa: N/A
Sent on in place of Insigne with less than ten minutes left.
Federico Bernardeschi: N/A
Late substitute for Berardi.
