Italy coach Roberto Mancini is delighted to avoid facing world champions France and European champions Portugal at Euro 2020.
The Euro 2020 draw, which took place on Saturday evening in Bucharest, left Italy in Group A alongside Turkey, Wales and Switzerland.
"Given that France and Portugal could have been with us in the same group, the situation would have been very difficult," Mancini said after the draw.
"But the Swiss are a very good team, and Wales may be a surprise, while the Turkish team is full of young talents and beat France in the qualifiers."
"We could have faced France, with two of the strongest teams in one group, while when the group is balanced, you fight to the end."
"We are not afraid of any rival, of course there are some teams in better shape because they started working before us, but I also think that France and Portugal would not have been happy to face Italy in the same group."
The # EURO2020 groups have been drawn! 😍 |
Italy top the group in qualifying for Euro 2020 with 30 points from 10 consecutive wins and a unbeaten record.
The Azzurri start their Euro 2020 campaign against Turkey on June 12 in Rome and will play the next two matches in Group A at the Olympic Stadium in the Italian capital.
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) is planning two friendlies in March against England and Germany.
On the other hand, Turkey coach Sinol Gunes vowed to all the teams that his youthful team will surprise the tournament.``We participated in this tournament, and playing the opening game makes us feel proud, and in each opening game there will be surprises, and we hope to achieve the surprise. ''
"We are not afraid of any of our rivals and we will play to win. We want to surprise them and do not allow the opposite."
After collecting four points against France in qualifying, Turkey are in a state of confidence.