Somehow it seems appropriate that Italy, the first country in Europe that was overwhelmed by the Covid-19 pandemic, is hosting the opening game of the European Championship. Even if <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/search/Euro+2020-all">Euro 2020</a> is kicking off in 2021.
The biggest crowd to gather in Italy for a year and a half will witness an Azzurri squad aiming for the title play a Turkey team aiming to spring a surprise on Friday at Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
&ldquo;We&rsquo;ve been waiting a year for this European Championship and we can&rsquo;t wait to experience hearing 15,000 people singing the national anthem,&rdquo; veteran Italy defender Leonardo Bonucci said.
&ldquo;Soccer with fans inside the stadium is a different sport.&rdquo; After embarrassingly failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, Italy won all 10 of its qualifying matches for Euro 2020 and enters on a 27-match unbeaten run.
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&ldquo;We want to go all the way,&rdquo; Bonucci, 34, said. &ldquo;Other national teams have more experience but we can play with anyone. We don&rsquo;t have a [Romelu] Lukaku or a Cristiano Ronaldo. Our strength is the team.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Turkey took four points off France in qualifying, including a 2-0 win over the World Cup champions, and lost only one of its matches to finish second in its group. &ldquo;Being in this tournament and playing in the opening match makes us proud,&rdquo; Turkey coach Senol G&uuml;nes said. &ldquo;In every opening game there are surprises and I hope we can also spring one.&rdquo;&nbsp;
Also Read:&nbsp;<a class="ng-binding" href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/football/article/euro-2020-analysis-six-groups-major-contenders-one-title-23177657">Euro 2020 analysis: Six groups, major contenders, one title</a>
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Ahead of today’s Euro 2020 opener against Turkey, Italy veteran defender Leonardo Bonucci says his team may not have a Ronaldo or Lukaku but they play well as a group

Euro 2020: ‘Our strength is teamwork,’ says Italy's Leonardo Bonucci

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Home / Sports / Football / Article / Euro 2020: ‘Our strength is teamwork,’ says Italy's Leonardo Bonucci

Euro 2020: ‘Our strength is teamwork,’ says Italy's Leonardo Bonucci

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