Starting off EURO 2020
The opening ceremony will have a rendition of Italian composer Giacomo Puccini’s aria Nessun Dorma by Andrea Bocelli.
It will also have a virtual performance by U2 stars Bono and The Edge with the DJ Martin Garrix.
Strengths
UEFA EURO 2020 will set out with its first match with Italy and Turkey. Italy has clinched eight of its earlier matches without letting the opponent attain a goal. Ever since Roberto Mancini took charge of the team as coach, it has surged ahead with 20 clean sheets in 32 matches.
Goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, known for breaking records, announced retirement from international soccer after failure in qualifying for the World Cup raised quite a few eyebrows. However, Italy continues to sustain the position. Twenty-two-year-old Gianluigi Donnarumma is now his successor, as the goalkeeper.
Italy’s center-back Leonardo Bonucci and captain Giorgio Chiellini together make for a strong pair, when it comes to central defense.
That said, Turkey’s strength lies in its solidity at the back. In the qualifiers, it allowed only three goals. It was this upper hand at solidity that helped keep forwards Dutch footballer Memphis Depay and Norwegian Erling Haaland without any score in the recently held World Cup qualifiers.
Top scorers
Italy and Turkey are equally strong at center forward.
Ciro Immobile of the Italian team is one player to look forward to. He received the European Golden Shoe award, by equalling the Serie A record with 36 goals in 2019-20.
Burak Yılmaz made headlines as Turkey’s second highest ever scorer. His feat of 29 goals placed him next to retired Hakan Şükür, who had 51 goals to his credit.