+ A
A -
DPA
Rome
Turkey are proud to be taking part in the opening game of the European Championship against a “great” Italy side, coach Senol Gunes said on Thursday.
He has a fully fit squad for Friday’s Group A tournament opener in Rome.
“It’s a great source of pride for us to be playing the opening game of this tournament,” Gunes told a news conference.
“Italy are a great team, and I have great respect for them. This is the first time Turkey have played an opening game, and for all but three of my players this will be a first Euro game.”
Turkey reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008, their best showing in major tournaments.
“In 2002 we went to the World Cup with players that had no finals experience and we did alright. It can be similar here, and the feeling in the camp is similar. We all have a common goal - players, coaching staff. We’re all pulling in the same direction,” Gunes added.
“(Roberto) Mancini knows Turkey – he worked at Galatasaray – and he has formed a great team. But we’re here to win.”
Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has connections the other way given he plays for Italy’s AC Milan.
“This is a special game for us and for me, because it’s taking place in Italy. I’m looking forward to facing my club-mates. The first match is always special,” he said.
“I would like to meet Italy again in the final, of course. It’s been a hard journey to get here, and now we want to stay.”
Italy midfielder Pellegrini out, Castrovilli in
Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini has been ruled out of Italy’s Euro 2020 campaign.
“Unfortunately this damned problem in my thigh makes it impossible for me to play in the European Championship,” Pellegrini wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “The bitterness at this moment is great.”
The Italian football federation (FIGC) said the 24-year-old had picked up the injury in training.
Initially he remained part of the group which travelled to Rome from the Italy base in Florence. But the Ansa news agency said he had now left he squad.
Italy asked European ruling body UEFA about replacing Pellegrini with Fiorentina’s Gaetano Castrovilli, and the latter’s name now appears on the official squad lists put out by UEFA.
Castrovilli has already joined up with the group in Rome. Group A also contains Switzerland and Wales, who face each other on Saturday in Baku.
Italy boss Roberto Mancini hopes the tournament can help in a world ravaged by coronavirus. “After everything we’ve gone through, now is the time to put smiles back on faces; we want people to enjoy themselves and have fun,” he told a news conference.
“It’s a shame we won’t have a full stadium but we have 16,000 people there, even if many may be Turkey supporters. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.” The coach is targeting a long run in the tournament but is not underestimating the Turks.
Rome
Turkey are proud to be taking part in the opening game of the European Championship against a “great” Italy side, coach Senol Gunes said on Thursday.
He has a fully fit squad for Friday’s Group A tournament opener in Rome.
“It’s a great source of pride for us to be playing the opening game of this tournament,” Gunes told a news conference.
“Italy are a great team, and I have great respect for them. This is the first time Turkey have played an opening game, and for all but three of my players this will be a first Euro game.”
Turkey reached the semi-finals of the 2002 World Cup and Euro 2008, their best showing in major tournaments.
“In 2002 we went to the World Cup with players that had no finals experience and we did alright. It can be similar here, and the feeling in the camp is similar. We all have a common goal - players, coaching staff. We’re all pulling in the same direction,” Gunes added.
“(Roberto) Mancini knows Turkey – he worked at Galatasaray – and he has formed a great team. But we’re here to win.”
Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu has connections the other way given he plays for Italy’s AC Milan.
“This is a special game for us and for me, because it’s taking place in Italy. I’m looking forward to facing my club-mates. The first match is always special,” he said.
“I would like to meet Italy again in the final, of course. It’s been a hard journey to get here, and now we want to stay.”
Italy midfielder Pellegrini out, Castrovilli in
Roma midfielder Lorenzo Pellegrini has been ruled out of Italy’s Euro 2020 campaign.
“Unfortunately this damned problem in my thigh makes it impossible for me to play in the European Championship,” Pellegrini wrote on Instagram on Thursday. “The bitterness at this moment is great.”
The Italian football federation (FIGC) said the 24-year-old had picked up the injury in training.
Initially he remained part of the group which travelled to Rome from the Italy base in Florence. But the Ansa news agency said he had now left he squad.
Italy asked European ruling body UEFA about replacing Pellegrini with Fiorentina’s Gaetano Castrovilli, and the latter’s name now appears on the official squad lists put out by UEFA.
Castrovilli has already joined up with the group in Rome. Group A also contains Switzerland and Wales, who face each other on Saturday in Baku.
Italy boss Roberto Mancini hopes the tournament can help in a world ravaged by coronavirus. “After everything we’ve gone through, now is the time to put smiles back on faces; we want people to enjoy themselves and have fun,” he told a news conference.
“It’s a shame we won’t have a full stadium but we have 16,000 people there, even if many may be Turkey supporters. It’s certainly a step in the right direction.” The coach is targeting a long run in the tournament but is not underestimating the Turks.
