Euro 2021 Day 1 Game Thread: Italy v. Turkey

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

Morgan's Magic Snowplow

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Let's get it on.

Italy are flying a bit under the radar. They won every match in qualifying, have some great young talent in midfield, and the veteran Bonucci/Chielini pairing in central defense. Attack looks pretty weak but if Immobile can find a little form and stick a few in the net, I can see them being a surprise contender. Its too bad that young creative midfielder Nicolo Zaniolo missed out due to injury (second ACL tear last September). He is a pretty insane young talent and could have been the spark they needed.

I don't know what to make of Turkey. Their biggest name players haven't really been lighting the world on fire in club football recently (Soyuncu, Demiral, Under, Calhanoglu, Kabak) but the three Turks at Lille (Yilmaz, Celik, Yazici) were seemingly pretty instrumental to that Ligue 1 winning side. Both Celik and Orkun Kokcu from Feyenoord are young players linked to moves to bigger clubs so they might be worth watching.

Edit: Starting lineups...

41852
 
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Kliq

Kliq

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Turkey is my dark horse and I have them going to the semi-finals. They might flame out, but they will come out and try to score. Interesting contrast to traditional Azzuri ball.
 
67YAZ

67YAZ

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Kliq said:
Turkey is my dark horse and I have them going to the semi-finals. They might flame out, but they will come out and try to score. Interesting contrast to traditional Azzuri ball.
Click to expand...
But it’s not traditional Azzuri ball! Italy will push on under Mancini, control some possession, and look to dictate action. I have high hopes for this match - two teams who are aiming high will want to announce their intentions in match #1.

I’m looking to Berardi to step up and make an international name for himself at this tournament.
 
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Dummy Hoy

Dummy Hoy

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I worry about Italy's CB being slow and exposed with their attacking FB...I'd also worry about the fact that their very impressive undefeated run (last loss was 2/10/2018!) hasn't really been against the highest caliber of opponent. That said by all accounts Mancini has worked wonders in transforming the mentality and approach and they should be a blast to watch.

I know nothing about Turkey but people seem to really like them coming into this tournament. And hey, they don't often qualify for events, but when they do they tend to do damage.

This could be a really fun game today
 
Ale Xander

Ale Xander

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How strong is the catenaccio for this particular vintage?

Can’t stand that shit as much as the flopping
 
CodPiece XL

CodPiece XL

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I quite fancy Turkey to take all points from Italy. They have a good cohesive young core of players, good defence ( Demiral, Soyunco Kabak ). They have a few players in the Lille team that just won the Ligue. I think they are underrated. Italy better be on their top game.
 
Schnerres

Schnerres

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IDK why, but this match is the most interesting for me in at least the last 12 months…

no rooting interest whatsoever.
 
Kliq

Kliq

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Lol Insigne is so short in the way they lined up for the anthems. Whose idea was it to stick him on the end next to a goalie?
 
Kliq

Kliq

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Italy is definitely on the way back after a real talent drought over the past 5-6 years, but I still think this is a below-average squad by their lofty standards.
 
Jimy Hendrix

Jimy Hendrix

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Not sure Taylor's enough of a classicist to appreciate the irony of talking about a Turkish Achilles Heel.
 
pokey_reese

pokey_reese

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Wow, you guys weren't kidding about this being a different Azzuri attack. I'm amazed by the ball movement, but really, it's the way everyone seems to really know what their 'out' pass is at all times, and how active they are. The passing scheme seems so much more individual lateral movement than I'm used to.
 
Kliq

Kliq

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Haha the Italians reactions to the no-call on the hand ball was great.
 
DennyDoyle'sBoil

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Turkey seems to have found its legs a bit. But feels like only a matter of time before Italy break through.
 
Kliq

Kliq

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I don't think Turkey wants to sit back necessarily, they typically play a pretty aggressive, attacking style of soccer. The problem is they really have lacked a pivot man in the midfield who can pass out of a pressing Itlaian side and link up with the forwards.
 
DennyDoyle'sBoil

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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Not exactly parking the bus though.

Turkey has been pretty good at taking the ball away on their side of the midfield line before Italy get into the final third. They have been ok on the ball and I think that Italy are going to have to beat them with the pass not dribble to get better chances.
 
Catcher Block

Catcher Block

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I love the ref in this game. Walked right over and essentially picked up the Italian player, and then pushed the Turkish player to the sideline once he got up.

edit: And there's a brutal OG. Nothing defender can do there except let it hit him.
 
DennyDoyle'sBoil

DennyDoyle'sBoil

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I had tickets to this game at one point.

I'm sad that I'm missing the tournament but not really all that sad to be missing this game.
 
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