Italy soccer staff
One way or the other it appears acceptable that Italy, the primary nation in Europe that was overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic, is internet hosting the opening sport of the European Championship. Even when Euro 2020 is kicking off in 2021.
The most important crowd to collect in Italy for a yr and a half will witness an Azzurri squad aiming for the title play a Turkey staff aiming to spring a shock on Friday at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
“We’ve been ready a yr for this European Championship and we will’t wait to expertise listening to 15,000 individuals singing the nationwide anthem,” veteran Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci stated. “Soccer with followers contained in the stadium is a unique sport.”
After embarrassingly failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Italy gained all 10 of its qualifying matches for Euro 2020 and enters on a 27-match unbeaten run.
“We wish to go all the way in which,” Bonucci stated. “Different nationwide groups have extra expertise however we will play with anybody. We don’t have a (Romelu) Lukaku or a Cristiano Ronaldo. Our energy is the staff.”
Turkey took 4 factors off France in qualifying, together with a 2-Zero win over the World Cup champions, and misplaced solely one in every of its matches to complete second in its group.
“Being on this match and enjoying within the opening match makes us proud,” Turkey coach Şenol Güneş stated. “In each opening sport there are surprises and I hope we will additionally spring one.”
The matchup additionally options some political undertones after Italian Premier Mario Draghi labeled Turkey President Recep Tayyip Erdogan a “dictator” in April. Turkey summoned Italy’s ambassador to protest, and a presidential spokesman demanded that Draghi retract his phrases. Draghi, nevertheless, didn’t problem a public apology or retraction.
Draghi shouldn’t be anticipated to attend the match since he’ll be in Britain on Friday attending a G7 summit. Erdogan can also be not anticipated to attend. Wales and Switzerland, the opposite two groups in Group A, meet in Baku, Azerbaijan, on Saturday.
This yr’s match is being performed in 11 cities scattered throughout the European continent.
FAN PROTOCOLS
The Italian authorities determined that the Stadio Olimpico may be stuffed to 25% capability for the 4 video games it would host.
That quantities to a most of 15,948 spectators.
Ticket-holders want to indicate one in every of three paperwork to enter the Stadio Olimpico: both a certificates from Italian well being authorities displaying they’ve been vaccinated towards COVID-19, one other doc from Italian well being authorities displaying they’ve recovered from the coronavirus inside six months, or a adverse take a look at consequence issued inside 48 hours of kickoff.
Whereas greater than 2,000 tickets for the opening sport had been offered in Turkey, a lot of these followers usually are not anticipated to journey to the match.
Followers arriving on the stadium may have their physique temperature measured by thermal scanners, and anybody with a fever or different coronavirus signs shall be ushered to a quarantine space.
The protocols look like a small value to pay after Italy turned the epicenter of the pandemic in Europe in early 2020, as cities like Bergamo struggled to maintain up with the sick and the useless. There have been greater than 125,000 confirmed deaths from COVID-19 within the nation and greater than four million individuals contaminated, together with many members of Italy’s squad — each gamers and coaches.
STRONG DEFENSES
Italy has gained its previous eight matches with out conceding a purpose and has 20 clear sheets in 32 matches since Roberto Mancini took over as coach.
Whereas record-setting goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon retired from worldwide soccer after the failed World Cup qualification, Italy stays strong on the place with 22-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma now between the posts. Additionally, Bonucci and Italy captain Giorgio Chiellini kind a robust and skilled pairing in central protection.
One in all Turkey’s major strengths can also be its solidity on the again. It allowed solely three objectives in qualifying and managed to maintain forwards Memphis Depay and Erling Haaland scoreless in latest World Cup qualifiers.
HIGH SCORERS
Either side are additionally robust at middle ahead.
Ciro Motionless gained the European Golden Shoe award when he matched the Serie A file with 36 objectives in 2019-20.
Burak Yılmaz is Turkey’s second highest scorer of all time, together with his 29 objectives placing him behind solely the retired Hakan Şükür (51 objectives).
OPERA AND AIRPLANES
Andrea Bocelli will sing the Giacomo Puccini aria “Nessun Dorma” throughout the match’s opening ceremony previous kickoff.
The ceremony will even characteristic a digital efficiency by U2 stars Bono and The Edge with the DJ Martin Garrix.