Emanuele Giulianelli’s Turkey v Italy preview: comfortable win for Azzurri?

Our Matchday Squad journalist will be covering Italy throughout Euro 2020

Italy will begin Euro 2020 in their home stadium, the Olimpico in Rome, facing Turkey, the team that will most likely challenge the Azzurri for first place in the Group A.

Wales and Switzerland, who face each other in Baku on Saturday, are one place behind the two sides on the starting grid: beware of surprises, though!

The Italian line-up against Turkey should retrace, for the most part, the one seen in Bologna against the Czechs in the friendly match won with a clear 4-0.

The old guard of Bonucci and Chiellini will protect Donnarumma in defence, with Florenzi and Spinazzola as full-backs. Jorginho will be the playmaker, with Barella and Locatelli on his sides. Insigne and Immobile will be immovable in the attacking line, with Berardi favourite over Chiesa for the third shirt in the 4-3-3.

Jorginho will have the task of replacing Verratti in the heart of the midfield but the Chelsea player has got all the skills not to make Marco’s absence felt. Italy extended their impressive unbeaten run to 27 matches by winning against the Czechs and arrive in Rome with the clear intentions and chances to win against Turkey.

My prediction is that Italy will win, without any particular problem. A correct score? Try 2-0 or 3-0 for the Azzurri.

Check out the latest Euro 2020 odds.