Turkey manager Senol Gunes hopes Roma star Cengiz Under can help them “feel at home” in the Euro 2020 opener with Italy at the Olimpico.
The Azzurri will face Turkey in the opening game of the entire tournament in Rome on June 12, then Switzerland and eventually Wales on June 21.
Turkey manager Senol Gunes hopes Roma star Cengiz Under can help them “feel at home” in the Euro 2020 opener with Italy at the Olimpico.
The Azzurri will face Turkey in the opening game of the entire tournament in Rome on June 12, then Switzerland and eventually Wales on June 21.
“It’s a group with difficulties and long journeys for everyone except Italy, as the rest of us have to travel to Baku,” Gunes told Tuttomercatoweb in the mixed zone after the draw in Bucharest.
“Looking at the other nations, Roberto Mancini worked in Turkey (for Galatasaray) and knows us well, the same goes for (Switzerland manager Vladimir) Petkovic. Perhaps only Wales don’t know Turkish football very well.
“I can say Italy are the favourites, as they have been very strong lately, as well as fortunate, winning all 10 qualifiers. Having said that, I do expect some surprises.”
Italy are playing the opener at home, but they’re not the only ones who feel comfortable at the Stadio Olimpico.
“We have a player, Cengiz Under, who plays for Roma, so he too will be on home turf. Italy is a country that lives and breathes football.
“They had problems in recent years, but are now resurgent, score many goals and I expect an entertaining match. We too are a team who like to play with technique and quick passes, just like Italy.”