Match #1: Turkey vs Italy (June 11)

 



What does a return to a big football tournament (albeit a year late) mean? 

Opinions from the self proclaimed experts! So here goes!

AB:

I am going for Italy to grind out a 2-1 win. They have quality in their front 3 - Insigne, Immobile and Chiesa especially can't be underestimated after a magnificent season at Juventus. And they have good passing range in midfield with Verratti (if fit) and Jorginho. 

Turkey's main creative outlet will be Hakan Calhanoglou, while Burak Yilmaz had a great season inspiring Lille to the Ligue 1 title. I expect them to score, because Italy's defence is not what it used to be. But Italy will score too. Chiesa to make the difference.

MK:

I see a 1-1 draw here. Turkey hasn't been impressive in the pre Euro friendlies. But with Hakan Calhanoglou coming off a good season with Milan, I predict that the Italians will be caught up in the midfield battle to contain him. Also, the experienced Burak Yilmaz may be key to Turkey's hopes.

Marco Verratti's fitness is a question mark. It is certainly a bother for Italy. Italy's main threat will be the front 3 of Immobile flanked by Insigne and Chiesa. This is Immobile's moment to shrug off the accussation of being unable to replicate club form for the national team.

Overall, I suspect that this will be a cagey affair with both teams more keen to avoid starting off with a defeat.

ADG:

Going for 3 for Italy without Turkey bothering Italy's net. Azzuri have had a quietly succesful qualifying campaign. Belotti, Immobile, Chiesa and Bernardeschi have enough between them to trouble Turkey. Raspadori may prove to be a surprise package. Yes, Yilmaz has had a terrific season with Lille but I am not expecting him to offer food for thought to Italy's experienced albeit suspect defense.


dark7knight:

Turkey beat france  at home, and drew  away during qualifying, so they won't be easy to beat, they have a solid defence in Soyunco of Leicester and Demiral of Juventus manning the heart of their defence,  and Celik of title winning Lille being the best RB in Ligue One, defensively as well as offensively(4 goals & 3 assists), they won't be easy to break down. They also have creativity in midfield in Hakan Caghanoglu of Ac Milan, and ab experienced fwd in Burak Yilmaz of (again) French champs, Lille. Not to mention Kabak who was on loan at Liverpool too, so going for a 1-1 draw, with Italy's fwd line lacking firepower despite their world class midfield


AK:

Going for a tight affair and a 2-1 here for Italy. Turkey, for the first time since Euro 2008 perhaps, look like a cohesive unit. Expecting them to be tight at the back and trouble the Italian back 4. The full backs are a bit suspect and the trio of Bonucci, Chiellini, Acerbi had tough seasons. Yazici can influence the game. But the inform midfield and front players should have enough fire power for the Azzuri. I think Berardi will get the start but Chiesa off the bench could be a massive impact player for Mancini. 


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