Euro 2020 Group A 🇮🇹🇨🇭🇹🇷🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 — When in Rome (or Baku)

After a long wait, Euro 2020 is finally upon us! And we’re kicking off our previews with Group A …

Who?

Where?

It’s home advantage for Italy with all three of their games, including the tournament opener, being played in Rome.

The other three fixtures take place in Baku.

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Need to know

No team has ever drawn as many games as Italy (16) at the Euros.

Just four of the Switzerland squad play their club football in the country

Turkey won just one of eight games in 2020 but are unbeaten in six games in 2021 so far.

Just eight of the 26-man Wales squad went to Euro 2016.

The key game

This group looks wide open and anyone who gets a result in their opening game (Turkey v Italy, Wales v Switzerland) will put themselves in a fantastic position.

The big storyline

Italy missed out on the 2018 World Cup and have a reputation to restore. Roberto Mancini has done a fine job so far and an unbeaten qualifying campaign is cause for optimism.

The surprise package

Yet to lose in 2021, Turkey have put in impressive displays to beat the Netherlands (4-2) and Norway (3-0) and could cause a surprise or two. A solid side, they’ll fancy their  chances against anyone if Hakan Calhanoglu and Burak Yılmaz are in top form.

The men to watch

Marco Verratti

Truly the heart of the team, Italy’s ability to control games may depend on how fit Verratti is and how he performs alongside Jorginho.

Burak Yılmaz

The 35-year-old has 28 international goals to his name and netted 16 times as Lille surprisingly won the Ligue 1 title this season.

Breel Embolo

They only thing clearly lacking for Switzerland is an obvious goalscorer but that could all change if Embolo hits a purple patch in front of goal.

David Brooks

A superb dribbler, Brooks has the ability to turn games on his own and could thrive with more attention on Gareth Bale and Aaron Ramsey.

Prediction