Italy And Turkiye's Pre-Euro 2024 Clash Ends In Stalemate Amid Azzurri Injury Woes
Italy extended their unbeaten run with a 0-0 draw against Turkiye on Tuesday, though they potentially suffered another injury blow. Luca Pellegrini was taken off in the 68th minute and was seen on the bench with an ice pack strapped to his knee. This follows Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini's withdrawals from the squad last week.
In the first of their two warm-ups ahead of Euro 2024, Italy came closest to breaking the deadlock on the stroke of half-time when Bryan Cristante thumped a header against the post. Guglielmo Vicario denied Merih Demiral on the half-volley in a bright second half for Turkiye. Giacomo Raspadori's tame shot was held by Altay Bayindir in the final seconds as both sides failed to find a way through.
All over at the Dall'Ara #ITATUR #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/11CY4YZZqY
— Italy (@Azzurri_En) June 4, 2024
Italy are not favourites going into their title defence in Germany later this month, and they struggled to show much attacking flair. Although the Azzurri extended their unbeaten run over Turkey to 14 games, they created an expected goals (xG) of just 0.67, hitting the target with two of their 11 shots.
| Team | Shots | Shots on Target | xG |
|---|---|---|---|
| Italy | 11 | 2 | 0.67 |
| Turkiye | - | - | - |
Injury Concerns
The injury to Luca Pellegrini adds to Italy's growing list of concerns ahead of Euro 2024. With Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini already out, Pellegrini's condition will be closely monitored. The team will hope for a quick recovery as they prepare for their next warm-up match.
Looking Ahead
Italy's performance against Turkiye raises questions about their readiness for Euro 2024. The lack of attacking prowess and mounting injuries could pose significant challenges. The Azzurri will need to address these issues swiftly to bolster their chances in Germany.
The next warm-up match will be crucial for Italy as they aim to fine-tune their strategies and improve their form before heading into the tournament. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the team adapts and overcomes these hurdles.
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