Italian sport papers picked three different MVPs in Italy vs. Turkey, while referee Danny Makkelie didn’t award the Azzurri ‘a clear penalty.’
Italy started the Euros in the best possible way at the Stadio Olimpico last night, sealing a 3-0 win over Turkey in the opening game of the competition.
A Merih Demiral own goal broke the deadlock in the second half before goals from Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne helped Italy win their ninth game in a row, keeping as many clean sheets.
La Gazzetta dello Sport named Domenico Berardi and Leonardo Spinazzola as the Azzurri’s MVPs at the Stadio Olimpico rating both 8/10.
“He didn’t score but he was involved in all three goals, concrete and unstoppable,” was the comment from the pink paper about Berardi.
Spinazzola was named MVP also on Tuttosport, which rated the Roma defender 7.5/10, while Ciro Immobile was the best player on the pitch according to Il Corriere dello Sport with a rating of 8/10.
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“Despite a difficult first half, Immobile didn’t feel the pressure. He scored Italy’s second and provided the assist for Insigne. This can be his European Championship,” wrote the Rome-based paper.
Referee Danny Makkelie didn’t receive as much praise. A Leonardo Spinazzola cross was charged down just before half-time, but it was not considered even worthy of a VAR on-field check.
The Dutch official was rated 5/10 by Il Corriere dello Sport and La Gazzetta dello Sport and 4 by Tuttosport as all papers pointed out the Azzurri were denied a clear penalty.
Despite that, it was a perfect European debut for the Azzurri.
Italy ratings on Italian sport papers:
Gazzetta dello Sport: Donnarumma 6.5; Florenzi 6 (Di Lorenzo 46 6.5), Bonucci 6.5, Chiellini 7.5, Spinazzola 8; Barella 6.5, Jorginho 7, Locatelli 7 (Cristante 73 6); Berardi 8 (Bernardeschi 85 N/A), Immobile 7.5 (Belotti 81 N/A), Insigne 7.5 (Chiesa 81 N/A). Mancini 8
Tuttosport: Donnarumma 6; Florenzi 5 (Di Lorenzo 46 6.5), Bonucci 6.5, Chiellini 6.5, Spinazzola 7.5; Barella 6.5, Jorginho 6.5, Locatelli 6.5 (Cristante 73 N/A); Berardi 7 (Bernardeschi 85 N/A), Immobile 7 (Belotti 81 N/A), Insigne 7 (Chiesa 81 N/A). Mancini 7
Corriere dello Sport: Donnarumma 6.5; Florenzi 6 (Di Lorenzo 46 6.5), Bonucci 6.5, Chiellini 7.5, Spinazzola 7.5; Barella 8, Jorginho 7.5, Locatelli 6.5 (Cristante 73 N/A); Berardi 7.5 (Bernardeschi 85 N/A), Immobile 8 (Belotti 81 N/A), Insigne 7.5 (Chiesa 81 N/A). Mancini 7.5