International Friendly: Spalletti’s Azzurri are Aiming to Surprise Europe Again

Italy vs Turkey

If the Azzurri are to claim back-to-back European glory, then this international friendly may provide us with a glimpse of their credentials.

In many ways, Italy are not fancied to defend the crown they won so dramatically three years ago.

They have not, quite remarkably, even qualified for the last two World Cups.

Yet while 2023 marked the end of Roberto Mancini’s five-year spell as national team manager, his tenure did include their Euro 2020 title and a record-breaking 37-match unbeaten run, so the Italians certainly have the character and ability in their locker to go toe-to-toe with the best.

A contest at home to Turkey should show us how prepared they are for another title tilt.

Talking Points

As they welcome fellow finalists Turkey to Bologna on Tuesday evening, let us look at the form book.

The Azzurri have won three of their last four games, the sole exception being a tense draw with Ukraine that sealed qualification, while their visitors cruised through qualifying but were thumped 6-1 in Austria last time out.

Under new head coach Luciano Spalletti, Italy swerved a play-off by pipping Ukraine to the second spot in Group C.

They have since played two stateside friendlies during the spring international period to allow Spalletti to assess several options – both tactically and in terms of personnel – with his side set to be confronted by Spain, Croatia and Albania in the group stage.

After Mateo Retegui’s brace saw off Venezuela in Miami, Italy then beat Ecuador 2-1 in New Jersey, making it six wins from nine games since losing in the Nations League semi-finals.

It means Spalletti, a title-winning coach at Napoli last year, appears to be making his mark at an opportune moment and will put his faith in one of the heroes of their Euro 2020 success, goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who will captain them against Turkey.

In the opposite dugout trying to create his own international friendly highlights will be a fellow Italian, Vincenzo Montella.

Turkey will make their Euro 2024 bow in Dortmund where Montella’s men meet debutants Georgia in Group B, which also features Portugal and the Czech Republic, so like Italy, a tough group awaits.

Montella heads for his homeland on the back of two chastening defeats during the March get-together, as his team were edged out by Hungary before suffering that thrashing in Vienna.

Capped 20 times by Italy during his playing days, Montella had previously overseen an unbeaten run since taking over last September, and Turkey were winners of Group D in Euros qualifying.

There they picked up 17 points from eight games, including victory in Croatia who they pipped to top spot and finished five points clear of third-placed Wales.

On Tuesday, defensive duo Caglar Soyuncuand Ridvan Yilmaz have been ruled out by injury, as has ex-Roma forward Cengiz Under.

Italy-based trio Zeki Celik, Kenan Yildiz and captain Hakan Çalhanoglu are all available, though – the latter was recently named Serie A midfielder of the year, following a superb season with champions Inter Milan.

Like Spalletti, Turkey boss Montella has experimented with formations recently, but his first-choice goalkeeper is sure to be Ugurcan Cakir, as Altay Bayindir has been starved of playing time at Manchester United.

The result will be secondary, in truth, as both managers look to ensure their team is geared up tactically and in the best possible shape for their looming Euro 2024 openers.

History

This fixture has been pretty much been an Italian landslide ever since they first met in 1962. That was a European championship qualifier in Bologna which Italy won 6-0, thanks to two goals from Gianni Rivera and a four goal haul from Alberto Orlando.

It wasn’t until 1973 that Turkey managed to avoid defeat at the hands of the Italian – a goalless draw in Naples in a World Cup qualifier.

That remains one of three draws Turkey have managed in the 13 meetings – the other 10 all Italian victories.

They actually met in the opening game of Euro 2020 three years ago when a passionate Stadio Olimpico helped the hosts to a 3-0 victory on their way to being crowned European champions.

It was also the biggest margin of victory ever recorded in the opening game of a European Championship.

After a goalless first half, an own goal was added to by Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne and the Italians were on their way.

They have met once since then, a friendly in March two years ago in Turkey in which Giacomo Raspadori netted twice in a 3-2 Italy victory.

Bryan Cristante got the other with Under and Serdar Dursun on target for home side.

Betting Tip

The SBOTOP international friendly betting odds back the Italians all the way.

The reigning champions can be backed in a variety of ways such as 1X2 1.52, Asian Handicap -0.75 @ 1.74, -1.00 @ 2.02, compared to the Turks 1X2 @ 4.74 and Asian Handicap +0.75 @ 2.08.

If you fancy another 3-2 Italian success, then Correct Score will pay out @ 26.00.

Goals aplenty will earn you a pay day of @ 3.07 with Total Goal 4-6 and @ 1.98 with Over 2.75 goals, contrasting with Total Goal 0-1 @ 3.65.

I think this will be a close run contest with Italy just edging the odd goal in three so my ** tip is Total Goal 2-3 @ 1.94.

 

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