Tactical Analysis: Italy vs. Turkey

The world’s biggest sporting event since COVID-19 ravaged the globe has finally begun. It’s a year late, there is no official host country, and only a handful of spectators have been permitted in the stadiums, but football fans worldwide won’t care. The European Championship has always promised fantastic, free-flowing football. It’s promised shocking moments, wonder goals, drama, and theatrics. It’s promised entertainment. Enter: Şenol Güneş. 

The Turkish manager took all those promises and ripped them in half when Turkey took on Italy at the legendary Stadio Olimpico in Rome for the first game of the EURO 2020.  Turkey have historically always been a side that leaks goals. Güneş has looked to rectify that, with his side coming in second in their EURO 2020 qualifiers, managing to take four points of France, the current world champions.

What stood out during the qualifiers was Turkey’s defence, keeping eight clean sheets and only conceding three goals, none of which came from open play. So it was no surprise that Güneş set up defensively against Italy. Mainly because this new era isn’t the Azzuri of old. After missing out on the 2018 World Cup, Roberto Mancini has revitalized Italy with a solid midfield and a dynamic forward line. 

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