KEIR RADNEDGE REPORTS: Italy coach Roberto Mancini was suitably delighted with both the result and the patient performance of his own team in defeating Turkey 3-0 in Rome in the Opening Match of Euro 2020 in Group A.

Italy were frustrated in a goalless first half but ran away with the game after the break, first with an own goal by Demiral then further strikes from Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne.

Mancini, a former Italy forward himself, said: “It was a wonderful night.

“I expected it to be great occasion but we also knew it would not be easy. We produced a very good performance and didn’t give them many opportunities. There was nothing that surprised me.

“It wasn’t easy because it was the Opening Match at the Olimpico with the fans behind us so we knew there was more pressure than usual so I’m delighted with the performance.

“There’s still a long way to go in a tournament with many good teams so it was important to get off to a good start.

“We are a team who play good football and have improved a great deal over the last few years. We can still improve significantly because we are a group of young players.”

No excuses

Turkey coach Senol Gunes had little to offer by way of explanation of excuse for a performance which grew more ragged the longer the game ran on.

He said: “I’m not satisfied with the result but I had expected better football. Now we will tidy up ourselves and prepare for the next two games.

“In the first half we were really good in defending but Italy were pressing all the time and used their advantage of being the host. In the second half our resistance failed. We could have played much better.”

Left back Leonardo Spinazzola was the official UEFA man of the match.

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