Italy made an impressive return to a major football tournament having failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup by thrashing Turkey in the Euro 2020 opener last night.
The match ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Azzurri at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome and truth be told, they could have had a lot more.
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The match ended in a comfortable 3-0 win for the Azzurri at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome and truth be told, they could have had a lot more.
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#UAEnews #Euro2020 #football
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00:00In our preview, Shamsher absolutely nailed this.
00:03He said that Italy were the team to watch and they've just put down a massive statement.
00:11Football is back. Euro 2020 kicked off in spectacular style last night with the much
00:15fancied Italians thrashing Turkey 3-0 in Group A. My name's Imran Malik and I'm joined today
00:21by Matt Smith, Shamsher Mohamed and our special guest Sahil Sajjan to discuss last night's action.
00:27Welcome to the show, guys. Thank you. Hey. Hey, how are you doing?
00:32Good. A bit early, eh, but we'll get through it. Have you had your coffee?
00:36Always. Not yet. Football chat first before the coffee. Yeah. Let's get stuck in, guys. Now,
00:46look, opening games tend to be short of goals but we got three last night and they all went
00:50to Italy. It feels odd to say it but we're not even surprised by that now, are we?
00:54Well, I think that in our preview, Shamsher absolutely nailed this. He said that Italy
01:01were the team to watch and they've just put down a massive statement. They just said,
01:06guys, we're here. I mean, Turkey are no idiots. They absolutely just threw them off the park.
01:14I think Shamsher's going to have to have something there to say.
01:17It was a perfect statement made by the Azuris, you know. Although they were wearing the
01:24Evgeny, it was the game at Rome, Stadio Olimpico. The home crowd, it was only like 16,000 but
01:32it sounded like 60,000 at once, you know. The crowd was brilliant and they helped the Italian
01:37score to break down that brick wall of Turkey but in the second half, the Turkey didn't have
01:46any voice at all in the game because it was brilliant from the Italian squad.
01:52Like I have mentioned in the preview, the midfield was absolutely brilliant.
02:00Eyal, what do you think? You saw the game last night. You were up until four in the morning,
02:03weren't you? Yeah. I mean, it was not about one player in the Italian squad. Each individual
02:09yesterday was just absolutely brilliant. Like the Turkey team, they couldn't just go
02:15like and attack Borucci, Chiellini. They showed their experience and literally blocked them out
02:21and Jorginho led from the front as Shamsher's favourite player. Varela also was outstanding.
02:27So full credit to Italy and they definitely are going to be the favourites to win this tournament.
02:33That's true. I mean, all the talk's been about how Mancini's transformed the side and it really
02:38was refreshing to see an Italian team not sit back like they always tend to do.
02:44Exactly. They have changed a lot under Mancini. They're more possession-based and they want to
02:50take the game into the opponent's hands. They were previously, like I have mentioned in the
02:55preview, they were a very cynical and difficult team to beat. But now, they're taking the attacking
03:01to the opponents. And literally, the game was played in the Turkey's half throughout the game.
03:07It was brilliant to see an Italian squad doing that different kind of tactics. And full credit
03:14to Roberto Mancini. Because ever since he has taken over, now it's been 28 games unbeaten run
03:20and nine consecutive games without conceding a single goal. And they are nearing a record,
03:28which is a century-old record. The Azzurris have made, like in the 1930s, a 30-game unbeaten run.
03:35They have that in their sights to break. So, they have got two games which are winnable in
03:40the group stages. And then, if they can get into the round of 16, if they win that game,
03:45I'll break that record. And it could be a great pride for the nation. And this could be a
03:50testament to their going on in the tournament. It's brilliant to watch the Azzurri side.
03:57Can I ask one thing? Saheel just said that that has now just made them favourites for the
04:01tournament. Is that not a little bit early to say something like that? I think it's…
04:09Half of the other favourites have not even kicked a ball yet. So, how do you say that?
04:16They have not lost a game in 28 games. That's why. They have not lost since 28 matches.
04:24Like, they have not conceded now since nine games. Am I right? The Italian squad.
04:29Yeah, yeah. And they have got the ball scoring record as well.
04:33You know, they look comfortable from front to back. So, I think that's why I've openly said
04:38it. Like, they are the favourites from this match. And they don't look like a team that
04:41they want to lose also. So, definitely, they are the favourites. But what I'm saying is,
04:45like, how do you counter that by saying, you know, like, what did France do wrong yesterday?
04:52They didn't do anything because they weren't playing. But they are still the favourites for
04:55me. All the big teams are the favourites. Let's not deny the fact.
05:02Just going back to the performance, even at 3-0 up, they still ventured forward. I mean,
05:06the Italy of all would have said, job done at 1-0, wouldn't they?
05:10Yeah. It was totally a drastic performance from the Italian squad. But I wouldn't count them as
05:16favourites still because, like Matt said, you know, other teams have to still play in the tournament.
05:21But they have clearly made a statement. They have told the bigger teams that we are here,
05:26just not to defend. We are here to take you on, which is a great statement to make.
05:32You mentioned the nine consecutive wins in a row, the 28 games unbeaten.
05:38We've talked a lot about their attacking play. But that old DNA is still present.
05:42That's another clean sheet.
05:44Oh, when you talk about that clean sheet, have you seen how Cellini and the teammates celebrated
05:50that 93rd minute block? It was absolutely immense, man. Because they celebrated like a goal.
05:55They celebrated like a goal. It was brilliant to see because that's the Azzurri's of old.
06:00Definitely.
06:02The Italians always celebrate a clean sheet because that's how they normally win a game,
06:09is by not conceding. But this is a team that's not conceding and scoring a bad load of goals.
06:17That's what makes it very interesting to watch.
06:19Yeah. Sahil, what did you make of their defensive display?
06:23Oh, look, you know, we all know Bonucci and Chiellini. They are the
06:27veterans of the game, their experience. And even though it was Chiellini who made that
06:32last-ditch challenge, he's a 35-year-old guy. But look at that determination and desire.
06:37He just stopped Yilmaz. And it was just fantastic to watch.
06:41These are the Italians. They're like crazy on the field.
06:44You mentioned Yilmaz. That's a good point. I mean, I was expecting a lot from Yilmaz. He's
06:47had a great season with Lille. They won the championship there. But they just couldn't
06:51get going, could they?
06:55You can't blame Yilmaz because there wasn't any service to him because Turks were sitting
07:00and they were parking the bus and they were decided to defend in blocks. But they should
07:06have a plan like an organised counter-attack, which didn't happen at all. So you can't blame
07:10Yilmaz. The Italian defence were brilliant, but the game was broken in the middle because they
07:16couldn't get a sniff out of that midfield. Bareilles and Jorginhos and Locatelli just
07:22completely broke the Turks' attack from the midfield itself. So you can see the stats.
07:29Turkey didn't even have one shot on target. That was absolutely brilliant from the Hasuris.
07:37One player I'd like to mention, Imran. One player I'd like to mention. Hakan Çalhanoglu.
07:42He's the man you thought he'd provide a good service. We all know he's got a good pass
07:47but I didn't see him in the field, I'm going to be honest. He was not there at all. Yilmaz needed
07:52some support and I think Çalhanoglu was very poor yesterday, I have to say that.
07:57I think that's a testament to how well Jorginho played in midfield as well.
08:02Exactly. The midfield was absolutely brilliant, all three of them.
08:08Matt, what do you reckon? Disappointed with Turkey? Expected a bit more from them?
08:13Well, I think the match went the way that I thought it would go but what is more pressing
08:19is the fact that we've got three more today. We've got three absolute belters coming up today and I
08:26think that rather than dwell on Turkey's failings, I'd rather look forward to seeing how Wales are
08:32going to fail later. Wales, well, a lot rests on Wales' shoulder. Depends how fit he's got to be,
08:39how they go forward. But just going back to that Turkey-Italy game because there was a moment in
08:44that first half where VAR, as we all know, is going to play a big part. There was a handball
08:49incident. Do you think that should have been a penalty? Should have been a penalty, hands on.
08:55I think it should have been but it should be up to the referee. I'm not the world's
08:59biggest fan of VAR and I think that if you're going to do... It rests on the shoulders of
09:06the referee. You can use it as a consultant and I've always said since day one, go to the
09:13pitch side monitor, go and read whatever you need to go and see and then make your own decision.
09:20You don't have to... Rugby does it very well. He goes to TMO and he goes, yep, okay and then he
09:27makes his own decision but the referee... I think it should have been a penalty but I think that
09:34they're taking out the hands of the referee too much.
09:40What do you think, Shamsir? Penalty?
09:41It should have been a penalty. Hands down, it should have been a penalty. But now I just want
09:47to see if they're consistent enough. If they're not giving penalty for that decision and if they
09:52give for the next game, that baffles me a lot. If they keep it going like this, then it's fine.
09:58But as long as they can keep their consistency, I'm okay with it. But it's not going to be like
10:02that. We all know how VAR works.
10:05Well, that's the whole problem. That's what I'm saying. If you've got consistency,
10:08then it's consistency. If you've got just a referee in the middle, then it's just a referee
10:11in the middle. But if one VAR guy in the office says, yes, that's penalty and then the next team
10:18says it's not penalty, then the whole thing becomes nonsense and that's when people start
10:25not taking it seriously.
10:27Yeah, this would have been a major talking point if the game would have ended 0-0.
10:32But now since Italy have absolutely thrashed the Turks, it's not even a talking point. But
10:38later in the tournament, it is going to be a talking point with other games.
10:42Yeah, absolutely guaranteed. Every game is not going to end 3-0, 4-0. So,
10:47guaranteed that one result will hinge on one of these decisions. Whether they get it right or
10:53wrong or whether the referee does the right thing and checks something or doesn't check something,
10:59that is where you're going to have your big hoot.
11:02I mean, it was a thrashing in the end. Turkey didn't pose much of a threat in that first half,
11:07but they had defended pretty well. But then the game really changed at halftime when they brought
11:12on under and they tried to be a bit more attacking and ultimately they paid the price. Should they
11:16have played for a point or was Italy's quality always going to shine through in the end?
11:23No, I think Italy were always going to win this game. There was no problem. And then
11:28I just think that all credit to Turkey, they actually decided to do something creative and
11:33they went out and tried as opposed to just being negativity. And it made for a really fun game.
11:40Yeah, they came out on the wrong end of it and everybody's going to talk about how they got a
11:44sore bottom today, but they actually went for it and they did very well. I don't think that
11:51they should have their head hanging in shame at all because I think they did the right thing.
11:57Sahil, what do you think?
11:59I think, I mean, there was nothing wrong from Italy, you know, to bring on under. He's a good
12:03talented player. You know, we've seen that for Roma and also now he joined Leicester City, but
12:08you said it was Italy's quality. They were just outstanding on the field, the midfield,
12:13like they just didn't let them create space, the defence, they were tight and obviously the
12:18attackers did their job. So nothing wrong from Turkey, you know, they had to, you know, get
12:23something on some attacking display. So, but it was Italy's quality. Let's just be honest here.
12:30They were just outstanding.
12:32They worked the flanks really well. They were always looking to get behind.
12:35There were some good performances from 1-11, but who stood out for you guys the most?
12:42I think Jorginho was outstanding yesterday. He was just brilliant.
12:49Yeah, without a doubt, he's the man of the match for me.
12:51Definitely Jorginho.
12:55Shamsher, who do you reckon, who stood out for you?
13:03I don't think Shamsher is...
13:04Shamsher, can you hear?
13:06Oh, yeah, yeah.
13:07It's good to see N'Golo Kante, isn't it?
13:15No, I had some connection issues, that's why.
13:19Man of the match, Shamsher. Man of the match. Who's your man of the match?
13:23My man of the match has to be Spinozola. And I think he was the official man of the match.
13:30Yes, Jorginho was brilliant in the midfield. He was spraying the passes left, right and centre.
13:35But Spinozola with his, that explosiveness. And you don't see normally a right-footed left-back
13:42in the game anymore. But he was brilliant. He was dancing around that left wing.
13:47And he created a lot of chances. He made a lot of dribbles.
13:50And he created mayhem to that Turkey's defence.
13:54And when you look at it, the first goal was come with a lot of luck.
14:00And ever since that goal, Italy could have scored three, four, five.
14:05And it was a testament to their performance.
14:08But like what Imran said, in the first half, Turkey defended so well.
14:14They defended in blocks. And Italy were really struggling to break them down.
14:18But like what Matt mentioned, it was always going to be Italy's game. And it proved to be.
14:25I mean, yeah, you're right. They dominated the position.
14:27They had something like 25, I think 26 shots.
14:30Not all of them, obviously, on target. I think maybe just six or seven.
14:33But look, they played against Turkey.
14:34How are they going to fare against stiffer competition going down the line?
14:39That's my big concern. I think this is a great Italy team.
14:43But I think when they come up against a France or even a Netherlands or England,
14:49they will get found out.
14:51And I think that for all the creativity, they look like Leicester City.
14:56They don't look like Manchester City.
15:00So, Arnaud, what do you think?
15:02I mean, look, I'm going to be honest here.
15:05I think even though if a big team comes, they're going to play it out.
15:08Look, they've got experience at the back.
15:10The midfield is also now experienced.
15:12The attackers also are experienced.
15:14So, come on, I think they should fight it out if a big team comes like France or England.
15:18And they will definitely give it a shot.
15:20And they will not give up.
15:22So, I don't think it's going to be like a one-sided game if a France or an England comes.
15:27So, definitely, Italy are contenders.
15:30But now I have to mention one thing, Imran.
15:33Yeah, go, go.
15:35The major problem for Italy now.
15:37They came into the tournament without any expectations.
15:40Now, since that first game, everyone is talking about Italy.
15:43Italy are one of the favourites.
15:46Well, so he'll just say…
15:47One of the favourites.
15:48That's going to be a problem for them.
15:49So, he'll just say they're favourites.
15:50The pressure is on them.
15:52Huge pressure.
15:53I mean, they've not lost since 29 games.
15:55That's why I'm just saying this.
15:56Since 29 games.
15:58So, I have to say this.
16:01That's the thing.
16:02But I still think that they're going to get found out.
16:06I really think that they're going to be on…
16:08They're going to be a turkey in one of these matches.
16:10They will get found out.
16:12You heard it here first, guys.
16:13Watch Italy win the title.
16:15I think you're right there, Matt.
16:16I think you're right.
16:16I think against a stronger team…
16:18Well, they'll certainly come up against a tougher opposition.
16:21And they'll have to dig deep.
16:23And they'll have to perform.
16:24But when you look at the individual performances, people like, for example,
16:27Immobile, who hasn't been able to hit the form that he does on the club level
16:32at the international stage.
16:33But he took his chance really well yesterday.
16:38Absolutely agree.
16:39Absolutely agree.
16:41It's not only Immobile.
16:42You know, even the Berardi's and Insigne's.
16:45The front three played so well.
16:47You know, when…
16:49These are the players when you look beyond the top teams in Italy.
16:52Like, they don't play for Juventus.
16:54They don't play for Inter Milan.
16:56They don't play for AC Milan.
16:58They're like players from Lazio, Sassuolo, you know, Napoli.
17:03It's a testament to the Italian league.
17:06Because these guys, Immobile have scored 20 goals for Lazio.
17:11And 17 goals have been scored by Berardi for Sassuolo.
17:14And Insigne has been scoring goals for fun for Napoli for years.
17:18So this has been their stage to show in an international tournament,
17:23in a big tournament, how good they are, actually.
17:25They're not like club scorers.
17:27They can score in big tournaments.
17:28So, fair enough, Immobile has raised his game.
17:32This was his first major tournament goal for Italy.
17:35So if he can keep it going, it's going to be fun to watch.
17:42I'm astonished you got through that without slagging off Tottenham Hotspur
17:44as being the average team.
17:50The big key for me is, yes, it comes down to depth.
17:54It comes down to depth.
17:55And yes, they look good.
17:59Their front XI, or sorry, starting XI looks good.
18:02But where do they turn to when things are not going their way?
18:05That's my worry for Italy.
18:08Yeah, that could be.
18:10I wanted to ask you one last question.
18:12Like, you know, we're like Marco Verratti is not playing.
18:17So do you think he will come back to the starting XI?
18:19And who will he replace?
18:21Yeah, I mean, there's a couple of guys who weren't playing yesterday,
18:23like you mentioned Verratti, Pellegrini was missing as well.
18:27I mean, once these guys do come back into that first XI
18:30and considering they've just torn Turkey apart 3-0,
18:33I mean, we don't want to get too excited about them.
18:35But for sure, the hype, pre-tournament hype,
18:39they've certainly lived up to that in that first game.
18:41I can't see them becoming any weaker.
18:43But, you know, it's a long competition.
18:45Injuries could play their part.
18:47We'll see how they do.
18:48But for sure, for that first performance,
18:50I mean, they got a bit lucky.
18:51If you look at those goals individually,
18:52the first one was an own goal.
18:54The third one was a mistake from the goalkeeper.
18:56He tried to kick it out and he gave it straight to, I think, Bernardi.
18:59And they went and scored.
19:01So anyone who didn't see that game,
19:02they'd probably think it was a thrashing.
19:04I mean, it was.
19:05But you take those two lucky goals away
19:07and do you think it could have been a different score at the end?
19:12It could have been.
19:13That's why I said, you know,
19:14the first goal was really a lucky break.
19:17But ever since that goal, you know,
19:19Turkey didn't look like a team
19:21because until the 50-50 first minute,
19:24they looked like a team and they're defending well.
19:26But ever since that first goal went in,
19:29it shows the mentality as well, you know?
19:31The heads dropped, didn't they?
19:32The heads, you could see invisibly.
19:34The heads dropped.
19:35The belief was lost.
19:36Exactly.
19:36That's what, you know...
19:37I mean, it was...
19:38Big teams like Italy, even if they concede one goal,
19:41you can see how they'll react to it.
19:43But Turks...
19:44But this has done very bad for the Turks.
19:46You know, like Wales and Switzerland will be licking their lips
19:50because now they have a Turkey who got battered
19:54and they have absolutely shattered with their confidence.
19:57And Wales and Switzerland going into the game,
19:59they have full on confidence now
20:01because it could be Turkey who can finish fourth in the group
20:07and all three will have a chance to qualify.
20:09But you never know if the Turks have to come back
20:13in the next game and play well
20:14and, you know, get the things right.
20:17I think that the big damage for me is the 3-0 deficit,
20:23not the way they played.
20:25As you said, it was an own goal to start with.
20:27And the third one was very fortunate.
20:29But going away from that, even if it was still just 1-0,
20:34it was a complete domination by the Italians.
20:37And that is where the big problem lies for Turkey.
20:40It's not the scoreline,
20:43it's the fact that they got played off the park.
20:46Yeah, that's very true.
20:48I think, you know, they were considered the dark horses
20:50by some before the competition.
20:52I still think they are.
20:54I mean, if you look at opening games,
20:56they can be quite deceptive.
20:57We've seen that in the last tournament, 2016 Portugal.
21:00They were hopeless at group stages,
21:01but they went on to win the World Trophy.
21:03So that'll give Turkey some hope.
21:06Yeah, I don't think so.
21:10No hope for Turkey.
21:12No hope for Turkey.
21:15That was pretty succinct.
21:19Definitely, it's not all out for Turkey.
21:21You know, they still have two winnable games.
21:24Like, they have to play Switzerland and Wales.
21:28They're pretty winnable games.
21:30I think second in the group for Turkey as well.
21:32I think we all knew that they were probably going to lose this one.
21:34But I'm also...
21:36So we split half and half.
21:37Two for Turkey going through and two against, it seems.
21:41No chance.
21:42But Turkey, we have analysed throughout the qualifiers.
21:48They have only conceded three goals in the whole qualifiers.
21:51So they have to get the defence right.
21:53They conceded three goals in the opening game itself.
21:55So that record went in the blue ocean.
22:00So they have to get the defence back straight
22:03with all their formations and the organisation things.
22:07Everything has to get it right.
22:08Then they need to focus on the attack.
22:12And Wales and Switzerland are beatable teams for Turkey.
22:16So I don't think it's all over for Turks.
22:17But it's all about the mentality now.
22:19How they're going to react to this massive defeat.
22:21Because this was Italy's first ever win in a major tournament in the Euros.
22:28By more than two goals.
22:29So they have made a statement and Turkey has to react.
22:35All right, so that's game number one done.
22:37There's another 50 to go.
22:39Three of them are taking place today.
22:41One of them is Russia.
22:44So we're looking forward to that.
22:45How do you reckon that's going to go today?
22:50So Hugh?
22:52So we've got Wales versus Switzerland, right?
22:56Personally, I told them I like Wales.
22:58So I hope they win.
23:01And for Denmark and Finland, I think the Danish should comfortably beat Finland.
23:06And towards the end, come on.
23:08Belgium should just thrash Russia.
23:10Let's be honest here.
23:11Who are we lying to?
23:13They should.
23:15That's the one that I think is out of...
23:17That's the one that I think I can't really call.
23:19I think you're bang on with the first two games.
23:21I think Wales will...
23:26As long as a certain boy from Real Madrid slash Tottenham plays well.
23:30I think that they've got enough quality to see off Switzerland.
23:34I also think that it's a no-brainer for Denmark beating Finland.
23:39But the one that I cannot call is Russia versus Belgium.
23:44Because they're going to have home advantage.
23:48Correct me if I'm wrong, Imran.
23:49But I think they're playing in St. Petersburg.
23:51Is that correct?
23:52I think so, Matt.
23:54Yeah, I think so.
23:55Yeah.
23:56And also, when you see...
23:58I think De Bruyne has been ruled out for today.
24:00And I think Witsum's missing as well.
24:02They're going to have a bit of a depleted first XI.
24:04But when you look at Lukaku up front, it could just be a solitary goal that wins this.
24:09And you're still their fans in Belgium.
24:12He's a great player.
24:13But we also know that when he's a lone striker, as he was at Man United, he really needs help.
24:19And if he doesn't have that help in the shape of De Bruyne, is he going to just get...
24:25Heaven forbid, Russia might actually play a very attacking game,
24:30given the fact that they're at home and they know that they're there for the taking.
24:37He might just get caught adrift up there.
24:38And we know that he does look like a very lonely guy sometimes when he's not got that support.
24:45Yeah, because he doesn't drop back to get the ball.
24:46He's literally up front.
24:47He's the target man.
24:49You're right.
24:49He could be quite lonely at times.
24:51But it'll be interesting to see.
24:53And a quick mention on Wales.
24:54I think we've touched on him.
24:56What do you think?
24:56Any chance for them if Bale plays well?
24:59I mean, you've got to look at him and Ramsey.
25:00If these two can put a bit of a performance in, could they win today's game at least?
25:08I'm sure that one's for you.
25:11I mean, I don't know.
25:14I mean, Wales, obviously, they were the semi-finalists last 2016.
25:18But I just don't know.
25:20In the Swiss, they're not that bad.
25:22They're all right.
25:22They're pretty decent.
25:24But I don't know if Wales will win, even though I like the Welsh team a lot.
25:29I hope they win, but I'm not sure if they will.
25:33It's going to be interesting to see.
25:34I think that wraps up for today.
25:36For all the latest Euro 2020 news, make sure you head down to gulfnews.com.
25:40And we shall all see you tomorrow.
25:42Thank you and goodbye.
25:43Thank you so much.
25:45Bye.