Is Turkey vs Italy on TV tonight? Kick-off time, channel and how to watch Euro 2020 fixture
Italy tackle Turkey in the Euro 2020 opener tonight with Roberto Mancini’s side eager to prove their worth as a genuine contender this summer.
The Azzurri have been unbeaten for 27 games, though midfield maestro Marco Verratti will hope to shake off a knock to inspire the four-time World Cup winners to the latter stages of the competition.
Turkey could be dark horses though, with a sturdy back line, including Leicester’s ÇaÄlar Söyüncü and Juventus star Merih Demiral.
FOLLOW LIVE: Turkey vs Italy build-up and team news ahead of Euro 2020 opener
But Mancini is confident and thrilled by the progress made under his guidance so far: “I like the atmosphere that’s developed within the team and what the younger players have managed to achieve in such a short space of time, thanks in part to the help they’ve received from the more experienced players in the group. Sometimes players need more time, but these youngsters are quick to learn and have improved a lot, and because they’re so young, they can still improve further.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the game at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome
When is the match?
Turkey vs Italy is scheduled to start at 8pm BST on Friday, 11 June, signalling the start of Euro 2020.
The game will take place at Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Italy, home of Roma and Lazio, while there will be 25-45 per cent of the stadium’s capacity to provide the Azzurri with home support.
Where can I watch on TV and is there a live stream?
You can watch the game on BBC One for free, while there will also be a live stream for UK viewers on the iPlayer. Coverage starts at 7pm BST.
What is the team news and who is in the squad?
Italy
Mancini will opt for a 4-3-3 here, Donnarumma will sit between the sticks behind Bonucci and Chiellini, while Florenzi has a minor knock, which could mean Di Lorenzo steps in and Spinazzola should be preferred to Emerson on the left.
Jorginho, fresh from his part in Chelsea's Champions League triumph, will pair up alongside Barella, while Locatelli may be the third member of that midfield ahead of Pellegrini, given Verratti is not in peak condition. Insigne and Immobile are sure to start with Chiesa likely to edge out Berardi for that final spot.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma, Alex Meret, Salvatore Sirigu
Defenders: Francesco Acerbi, Alessandro Bastoni, Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Emerson, Alessandro Florenzi, Leonardo Spinazzola, Rafael Toloi
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella, Bryan Cristante, Jorginho, Manuel Locatelli, Lorenzo Pellegrini, Stefano Sensi, Marco Verratti
Forwards: Andrea Belotti, Domenico Berardi, Federico Bernardeschi, Federico Chiesa, Ciro Immobile, Lorenzo Insigne, Giacomo Raspadori
Turkey
Turkey will have Demiral and Soyuncu at the back, with talisman Yilmaz leading the line, with Calhanoglu and his set-piece delivery sure to be key at this tournament.
Full squad
Goalkeepers: Altay Bayındır, Mert Günok, UÄurcan Çakır
Defenders: Zeki Çelik, ÇaÄlar Söyüncü , Kaan Ayhan, Merih Demiral, Mert Müldür, Ozan Kabak, Rıdvan Yılmaz, Umut MeraÅ
Midfielders: Yusuf Yazıcı, Dorukhan Toköz, Ä°rfan Can Kahveci, Okay YokuÅlu, Orkun Kökçü, Ozan Tufan, Taylan Antalyalı, Hakan ÇalhanoÄlu
Forwards: Burak Yılmaz, Cengiz Ünder, Enes Ünal, Abdülkadir Ömür, Kerem AktürkoÄlu, Halil Ä°brahim DerviÅoÄlu, Kenan Karaman
Confirmed line-ups
Turkey XI: Cakir, Celik, Demiral, Soyuncu, Meras, Yokuslu, Karaman, Tufan, Yazici, Calhanoglu, Yilmaz
Italy XI: Donnarumma, Florenzi, Bonucci, Chiellini, Spinazzola, Barella, Jorginho, Locatelli, Berardi, Immobile, Insigne
Odds
Italy: 1/2
Turkey: 7/1
Draw: 14/5
Prediction
We’ll opt for a home win here, but this could be a rollercoaster given Turkey’s ability to mix it with the heavyweights of European football. But the Azzurri ease to a 2-1 victory in Rome.
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