Euro 2020 Italy vs Turkey Prediction
A year delay due to the pandemic finally ends on Friday, June 11 when the UEFA Euros kick off with Italy vs Turkey at 3 p.m. ET. The game will be played in Rome, Italy and ESPN will be handling the coverage.
These two teams have not faced off since 2006 where an international friendly ended in a 1-1 draw. This was their tenth matchup all-time. Italy has won seven times; the two have drawn three times, and Turkey has never taken three points away from the game.
Italy is the favorite in Group A while Turkey might be the dark horse that also includes Wales and Switzerland. Italy haven’t been playing against the most challenging competition in their friendlies to prepare for this tournament, dropping the Czech Republic 4-0 and San Marino 7-0. This Italy team is for real, but so was the one that failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
Turkey, on the other hand, have lost one of their last thirteen international matches. Most recently, they beat Moldova 2-0, tied Guinea 0-0, and beat Azerbaijan 2-1. Not the most impressive wins, but wins nonetheless.
Euro 2020: Turkey’s Ways to Win
Turkey’s defense is their strong suit. Çağlar Söyüncü of Leicester City will be the glue of the backline that has allowed three goals in ten qualifying matches. Cengiz Under of Leicester City will also be one of their outlets in attack, although he came on as a sub against Moldova..
Italy’s defense is very experienced and have been playing together for ages, so it’s going to take a lot to take them down. They’re big and physical, but what they have in strength they don’t have in speed. Bonucci and Chiellini should start at center back who have 207 international caps between the two of them. Turkey needs to work quickly to get through them. The individual effort would also be helpful and might be Turkey’s only way in.
Turkey’s width is their most deadly attribute as they’ve made quick work of some lesser competition with their 4-1-4-1. The numbers in midfield should allow them to control the center of the field, which they can then push on into the wings and create overloads on the outside. Look for Turkey to whip in a lot of balls from the outside to Yilmaz at striker. He’ll need to be dynamic in his movements to give the Italian center duo some trouble.
Euro 2020: Italy’s Ways to Win
Italy knows they’re the better team and there should be no lack of confidence on their end. Turkey haven’t had the experience that the Italian players have had and their 4-3-3 should keep them balanced across the pitch. With that balance, comes the need for pressure. It’s a big stage; one that Italy has more experience in and should use to their advantage.
Press high and put Turkey under pressure in the attacking third. Make them sweat. Italy is better pound for pound, and they need to use that against Turkey. Look for individual matchups; raise the tempo; make Turkey uncomfortable.
Euro 2020: Turkey vs Italy Prediction
Turkey has been really decent as of late and analysts like them as a dark horse, but Italy is just the stronger team overall and these Euros have been long-awaited. Italy will come out guns blazing and it will be too much for the Turks and they won’t be able to get much started. Maybe they put away one, but Immobile, Insigne, and Berardi will be too much.
Prediction: Italy 3 Turkey 1
