Mancini Happy As Italy Begin Euro 2020 With Convincing Win
Euro 2020 Italy kicked off the tournament in style on Friday with a 3-0 win over Turkey, but manager Roberto Mancini was not getting carried away after the match saying that Italy ‘put in a good performance against Turkey’ but reckons ‘there is still a long way’ to go to Wembley.
Italy scored three second-half goals at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome to take all three points, and Mancini was satisfied with the performance.
“We put in a good performance. We were unable to get a goal in the first half, it wasn’t easy, as it was the debut and Turkey are a very good team,” Mancini told Rai Sport.
“In these games, you need everything. We had help from the crowd, we are happy and I think the team played really well.
“It was decisive when we moved the ball quickly, managing to always free someone up for the pass. It was important to start well and it’s satisfying for us, for the crowd and for all Italians.”
“It was a wonderful evening and I hope there will be many more. Wembley? That’s a long way away. There are six to go.”
Italy striker Ciro Immobile, who scored one of the goals for his side, said:
“We showed patience in the first half.
“Turkey are a strong side and caused problems for many top teams. We tried to tire them out, moving the ball left and right and trying to spread them. Unfortunately, we regularly struggled to break their wall.”
Fellow goalscorer Lorenzo Insigne added:
“Our strength is the group; the coach has created a great group in which there are no starters and bench players and each one of us is always ready to sacrifice for our teammates. Winning is the most important thing – if I score, even better. It was a great night.”
Italy next play Switzerland on Wednesday night at the same venue, while Turkey play Wales in Baku earlier on the same day.
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