After the suspension of one year due to the coronavirus pandemic, Italy will face Turkey in the opening match of the European Championship at Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Friday.
This will be Roberto Mancini’s first major tournament as Italy's head coach in either the World Cup or the Euros.
As a player, he only featured at one major competition – playing four games at Euro 88 – scoring the opening goal of the whole tournament during a 1-1 draw with hosts West Germany.
For Turkey's Senol Gunes, it is his second major tournament as Turkey head coach, 18 years after leading his nation to a third-place at the 2002 World Cup, their best-ever performance in the competition.
Turkey vs Italy Latest Odds
Turkey have lost all four of their opening games at Euro finals and this includes their opening match against Italy in the 2000 tournament but a win for them has been priced at (7.50) with Booster99.
Italy have never lost at the Stadio Olimpico in a major tournament; the World Cup and the Euro combined (W6 D2). They also haven’t conceded a single goal in each of the last seven games and a win has been valued at (1.57).
A draw between the rivals in the opening game has been considered to occur at (3.85).
Turkey vs Italy Team News
Mancini is expected to be without PSG's Marco Verratti, who has been training alone after sustaining a knee problem, while Manuel Locatelli is out of the tournament due to a muscle injury. Turkey, on the other hand, have no major injury concerns ahead of the opening game in Rome.
Turkey vs Italy Preview
Turkey are taking part in their fifth European Championship finals with their best result being a semi-final in 2008; it’s only the second time they have reached the tournament in consecutive editions after 1996 and 2000.
Italy are taking part in their 10th European Championship finals – they won the tournament in their first appearance (1968) and have since reached the final twice without getting their hands on the Henri Delaunay trophy; in 2000 and 2012.
Italy were one of only two teams – alongside Belgium – to win 100% of their games in the Euro 2020 qualifying campaign (10/10). They scored 37 goals in their 10 qualification matches (3.7 per game). This was the same tally as they scored in qualification for Euro 2016 and World Cup 2018 combined; 37 goals in 22 games.
Next Match
Turkey vs Italy Tips and Predictions
Turkey have kept only one clean sheet in their last 10 games at major tournaments, which came in a 2-0 win against the Czech Republic in their last match at Euro 2016.
Despite playing 38 games in the European Championships, Italy have never scored more than two goals in a match. They have also drawn more games than any other side in the tournament’s history (16). Punters can take an offer of under 1.5 goals at (3.04) with Booster99.
Under 1.5 goals at (3.04) with Booster99.
Odds correct at the time of writing. Please gamble responsibly.
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