Ruthless Italy rout Czech Republic, Spain and Portugal play draw

A week before they kick off Euro 2020 in Rome, Italy crushed the Czech Republic 4-0 in Bologna on Friday, keeping an eighth straight clean sheet.

Ciro Immobile Nicolo Barella Lorenzo Insigne and Domenico Berardi all scored for the hosts who will open the Euro against Turkey next Friday.

In the absence of Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, who is nursing an injured knee, Jorginho, a Champions League winner with Chelsea, and Barella quickly set the tempo for Italy.

Italy’s strikers Lorenzo Insigne and Ciro Immobile wasted early chances, before Immobile of Lazio broke the deadlock in the 3rd minute.

Barella, who injected energy from midfield, added a second before half time.

Immobile set up Insigne to score the third with a deflected shot.

Berardi rounded off the party in style, much to the delight of the few thousand spectators in the venerable Dall’Ara Stadium.

They also warmly welcomed the debut of Sassuolo striker Giacomo Raspadori, the surprise pick on the 26-man squad, with 12 minutes left. While Italy’s attack enjoyed itself, the defence maintained their defensive solidity with an eighth consecutive clean sheet.

The Czechs, who open their Euro campaign against Scotland in Glasgow on June 14, started brightly before the home team took full control.

The only real scare for Italy manager Roberto Mancini came when Leonardo Bonucci limped off in the first half after twisting his right knee, but the Juventus defender returned and finished the game.

Italy are undefeated in 27 matches, since September 2018.

Spain and Portugal both lacked firepower as they drew 0-0 in a friendly warm up for the European Championships at the Metropolitano in Madrid on Friday. The match was both an occasion to officially launch the two nations launching a joint bid to host the 2030 World Cup and for the hosts to test out a new-look defence.

Cristiano Ronaldo had a frustrating night on his first game in Madrid since leaving Real in 2018 and came close to scoring twice and set up a good chance Diogo Jota failed to take advantage of.

Backed by Joao Felix, Ronaldo was largely neutralised by Barcelona pair Sergio Busquets and Thiago Alcantara in a tight home midfield in front of a remodelled defence.

“It was a very good test for us and I think we will all be ready for the European Championship,” said Spain coach Luis Enrique. “In the first 60 minutes we managed to almost completely cancel out the reigning European champions, they almost didn’t make three passes in a row,”

Alvaro Morata came closest to scoring for Spain missing two clear chances and hitting the bar in stoppage time.

“I think we made enough chnaces to score,” said Luis Enrique. “I don’t get angry when my players miss chances, I’m never going to reproach my players for not being able to take their chances.”

Manchester City defender Aymeric Laporte made his debut after opting for Spain ahead of his native France. Luis Enrique with Laporte and his centre back partner Pau Torres

“I thought they were both exceptional, dominant, with character, putting pressure on the Portuguese strikers.”

Hungary pip Cyprus:  Euro 2020 Group F outsiders Hungary beat Cyprus 1-0 in Budapest on Friday in their first friendly match before the delayed tournament starting on June 11.

A 36th minute strike by midfielder Andras Schafer, his first international goal, settled the tie which was played in front of a near capacity attendance at the Ferenc Szusza stadium in the Hungarian capital.

Packed stands are also expected at the Puskas Arena Euro 2020 venue in the Hungarian capital, the only one of the 11 tournament stadia not to limit fan numbers.

Italian coach Marco Rossi’s Hungary play title holders Portugal (June 15) and World Champions France (June 19) at the Puskas Arena, before facing Germany in Munich (June 23).

Agence France-Presse