The second group stage games of Euro 2020 begin today and Football Italia has picked the top & flop Serie A players of the first round.
The list does not include Italy’s Serie A players. The Azzurri beat Turkey 3-0 in the opening game of Euro 2020 and play the second game of the group stage this evening against Switzerland.
EURO 2020 SERIE A FLOPS – ROUND ONE
5. Hakan Calhanoglu – The Turkey playmaker was shadowed by Nicolò Barella in a sort of Milan derby at the Stadio Olimpico. The Inter midfielder outplayed Calhanoglu who will try to redeem himself against Wales today.
4. Remo Freuler – Started against Wales alongside Roma-bound Granit Xhaka, but failed to have an impact and was harshly criticised by Swiss media. Not the same Freuler we usually witness in Serie A.
3. Wojciech Szczesny – Poland lost 2-1 against Slovakia and the Juventus goalkeeper scored an own goal. It was the first time a goalkeeper put the ball inside his own net in a European Championships game.
2. Alvaro Morata – Missed a sitter in the first half against Sweden. He should have done much more from that position, especially considering he had hit back at criticism the day before the game saying he didn’t care about them and that Spain fans even criticised Fernando Torres. Spain need more from him.
1. Merih Demiral – He scored the first goal of the tournament but putting the ball in the wrong net. Italy took the lead against Turkey thanks to his goofy own goal on Friday. Not the best way to start the Euros for the Bianconeri defender who is being monitored by Atalanta and Tottenham.
EURO 2020 SERIE A TOPS – ROUND ONE
5. Romelu Lukaku – Tipped by many to become the best scorer of the Euros, Lukaku started off well scoring a brace against Russia and dedicating his goals and Belgium’s victory to Christian Eriksen.
4. Milan Skriniar – Scored the winner for Slovakia against Poland and was named MVP of the game. He said he doesn’t want to leave the Nerazzurri and that’s great news for the Serie A champions.
3. Goran Pandev – The Genoa striker scored the first goal in the history of North Macedonia at a major international tournament twenty years after making his international debut. Legendary.
2. Cristiano Ronaldo – Broke three records in one game. He became the first player to feature and score in five European Championships and the best scorer in the history of the competition overtaking Michel Platini’s nine goals. Thanks to his brace against Hungary, Ronaldo reached 11 goals at the Euros. History maker.
1. Simon Kjaer – The Denmark captain is probably the man of the tournament already. He literally saved Christian Eriksen’s life on the pitch providing life-saving first aid. Useless to say, his importance on the pitch went beyond football. It could have been a tragic Saturday at the Parken, also thanks to him the whole world of football breathed a sigh of relief.