Ligue 1 stars to feature in first game as European Championships kick off this weekend.
Just two weeks after most domestic seasons finished and a year later than expected, the European Championships are upon us. Rather than a single host nation it will take place in 11 different Countries. There will be 24 teams fighting it out over 6 groups, As with Euro 2016, the top two from each group and the four best third-placed finishers will qualify for the knockout rounds. It kicks off this Friday at 2000 with the first game featuring players from Ligue 1 sides in each squad. A month of football showcasing some of the best players in the world. What's not to like....
Turkey have three players in their squad who are also team mates at Lille. The Turkish Triumvirate of Burak Yilmaz, Yusuf Yazici and Mehmet Zeki Celik are all coming off an unbelievable season with Les Dogues. Each of them were big contributors towards Les Lillois winning the Ligue 1 Championship. Attacking Right back Celik was a key member of the French Champions march to the title showing strength and technique on the ball to regularly get forward. He was often the player to start an attack and weighed in with 3 league goals and 3 assists. It's no surprise that other clubs are watching him closely with Arsenal rumoured to be very interested. If he has a good tournament, and avoids injury, he could be another of Lille's players to leave. On the other side of the Turkish back four we could see Le Havre left back Umut Meras. Meras has 13 caps for his Country but does not always start. Le Havre only finished 12th in Ligue 2 this season so, like many other players, he may see this as a chance to engineer a move to a higher tiered club. It will be interesting to see if Meras gets much game time ahead of Besiktas left back Ridvan Yilmaz. As for Yazicici he has a similar role for his Country as he does for his club. He can play as winger, central midfielder or striker. As with Lille he rarely plays 90 minutes for Turkey but is usually involved. 31 Caps have brought him just one international goal. His club form this year though was brilliant at times. Seven league goals and four assists were augmented by two impressive Europa League hat tricks at Sparta Prague and A.C Milan. His versatility could be integral to Turkey's chances in this tournament if they are to do well. Finally there is Lille's veteran striker Burak Yilmaz. Surely the Ligue 1 signing of the season. Signed on a free transfer from Besiktas the 35 year old scored 16 goals and 5 assists. He should be Turkey's main striker during this tournament although he may be subbed in the later stages of games to save his ageing legs.
The Italians have two PSG players in their squad with Marco Verratti and Alessandro Florenzi. Midfielder Verratti is unlikely to feature in the opening game. He is still recovering from the knee injury that kept him out of the Paris side since the beginning of May. It shows how much Italy Manager Roberto Mancini values the 28 year old midfielder. The Azzurri Boss is taking a risk in taking a player who has not played a match for over a month and is still not fit. It comes at the expense of taking the place of a fully fit player in the 26 man squad. Mancini clearly thinks Verratti's leadership qualities and experience are worth the risk. He must also be confident that Italy will progress from group A where Verratti could be effective in the knock out rounds. As for Florenzi he is a regular starter at right back if Italy play a back four. He will be slightly disappointed with his season in French Football after PSG were pipped to the title by Lille. He won the French Cup but his loan move from Roma may not be made permanent with apparent interest from Serie A Champions Inter Milan. If he starts in the opening game it will be interesting to see how he fairs against the Turkish Lille Players.
This is not the easiest of groups to get out of but Italy will feel they should finish this mini league at the top of the table. The Italians rarely have a bad tournament and have been known to go far without having to play particularly well. They have quality right through the squad and are notoriously difficult to score against. Turkey and Italy share Group A with Wales and Switzerland. Whilst all the Group A games could be tight, Italy and Turkey should feel they have the best chance of qualifying. The Italians are on a 23 match unbeaten run whilst Turkey finished 2nd in their qualifying group just behind France and have had notable recent wins against Holland (4-2) and Russia (3-2). Aside from the French based players on show there is plenty of quality to admire in both sides. Italy's squad is full of quality but Torino Striker Andrea Bellotti was their highest scorer in qualifying and could be an outside bet for the Tournaments Golden Boot. Turkey meanwhile have Italian based midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu. The A.C Milan player got 4 goals but 10 assists for his club this season. He has 13 goals for his Country and is an integral part of the Turkish team.
Frenchfooty prediction: Turkey 1 V Italy 1
One to watch: Burak Yilmaz - Turkey
As mentioned above Ylmaz has had a great domestic season with Lille. It will be interesting to see if the veteran striker can transfer that form in to this International tournament which will surely be his last.
Turkey V Italy kicks off at 2000 GMT on Friday 11 June. It can be watched on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
**One of the bonus's of the Euros is that every game will be shown on British Terrestrial Televison either on BBC, BBC Iplayer, ITV or ITV Hub.**
That should get us in mood !