Spinazzola claims Italy given 'goosebumps' by fans ahead of Turkey win

Leonardo Spinazzola claims Italy were given ‘goosebumps’ by fans cheering team bus to the Stadio Olimpico ahead of win against Turkey in Euro 2020 opener… as Lorenzo Insigne reveals Roberto Mancini told them to remain calm after goalless first half

  • Leonardo Spinazzola was named Man of the Match as Italy beat Turkey in Rome  
  • An own goal was followed by strikes from Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne 
  • Roberto Mancini’s men take the advantage in their Euro 2020 Group A  
  • Roma defender Spinazzola however was glad to see fans lining the streets 
  • Find out the latest Euro 2020 news including fixtures, live action and results here.

Italy left-back Leonardo Spinazzola claims his side were left with ‘goosebumps’ after the fanfare in the streets that greeted their arrival at the Stadio Olimpico ahead of their win against Turkey.

Roberto Mancini’s men claimed a 3-0 victory in the opening game of Euro 2020, with a Merih Demiral own goal being followed by strikes from forwards Ciro Immobile and Lorenzo Insigne.

The Azzurri now take the advantage in Group A, and Roma full-back Spinazzola labelled their performance at his home ground in club football ‘perfect’ and lauded his side’s patience after a goalless first half. 

Leonardo Spinazzola claims Italy’s stars had goosebumps after their arrival at the stadium

Roberto Mancini’s men claimed a 3-0 victory in the opening game of Euro 2020 against Turkey

‘The emotions started on the bus towards the stadium, seeing all the people in the streets. It really did give us goosebumps,’ Spinazzola – who was awarded the Man of the Match award by UEFA – told Sky Sport Italia.

‘It was a perfect performance. We were patient, we moved the ball around well. Then afterwards I saw my son in the stands, it was emotional.

‘The coach [Mancini] always tells me to push forward and press, but sometimes I ask for a bit of a breather, it’s really tiring!

‘We have a mix of incredible qualities in this squad, with great midfielders, forwards and defenders. Everyone brings something to the table.’ 

Roma defender Sinazzola was awarded the Man of the Match award by UEFA in Rome

But he said that the fanfare that greeted their arrival at the Stadio Olimpico moved the players

Rio Ferdinand meanwhile praised the Spinazzola, 28, for his excellent deliveries into the box, and praised how comfortable he looked on the left-hand side despite being right-footed. 

‘I thought he was fantastic,’ Ferdinand told BBC One. ‘I saw him against Manchester United [in the Europa League] and they were lucky he came off injured. He is an outlet, he is always high up the pitch.

‘He is released to being almost a left winger when Italy have possession and he controls that left side on his own. He’s so comfortable in doing it, he is a right-footed player playing on the left which isn’t normal.

‘He wants to be one versus one, and then it is about your execution and delivery, and invariably he got it right today. Him and Insigne combining is going to cause a lot of teams problems.’

Rio Ferdinand meanwhile praised the Spinazzola, 28, for his excellent deliveries into the box

Goalscorer Insigne meanwhile revealed Mancini called for calm among his men ahead of the second half.

Some of Italy’s players were left unamused just before the break after a ball into the Turkey box appeared to hit Okay Yokuslu’s hand, but neither the referee nor VAR awarded a spot kick.

But Insigne revealed Mancini told his players to refocus and praised his boss for creating a ‘great group’. 

‘It was thrilling, we played in front of our own fans, we had a slow start but we managed to recover and score three goals in the second half,’ Insigne told Rai Sport.

Some of Italy’s players were left unamused just before the break after a ball appeared to hit Okay Yokuslu’s hand

‘Mancini told us to remain calm, he said it [the handball decision] is something that can happen and urged us to remain focused on the game. So that’s what we did and we achieved our goal.

‘Our strength is the group, the coach created a great group where there are no starters and each one of us is at the team’s service. 

‘I always try to be available for the team and create dangerous actions. However, winning is the most important thing, and if I score even better,’ he continued.

‘It was a special night, we had been playing behind closed doors for a year and a half, it was great to play in front of our fans, let’s hope this is a starting point for many people. Let’s hope even more people will come to the stadium in the future.’

But goalscorer Lorenzo Insigne revealed Roberto Mancini called for calm at the break




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