Rio Ferdinand slams ‘CRIMINAL’ defending by Turkey after letting Italy’s Giorgio Chiellini have a free header in the penalty box during Euro 2020 opener… with veteran defender only denied by a sublime save from Ugurcan Cakir
Rio Ferdinand slammed Turkey’s ‘criminal’ defending during the first-half of their Euro 2020 opener with Italy – which saw Giorgio Chiellini nearly scoring from a corner.
Italy veteran Chiellini was found unmarked inside the penalty area during the first-half set-piece, with the 36-year-old defender drawing a fine save from Turkish goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir.
Ferdinand claimed that Senol Gunes’ side were unlucky not to go in behind at the break and that the Turks ‘got away with’ that missed opportunity.
Rio Ferdinand slammed Turkey’s defending for leaving Giorgio Chiellini (left) free at a corner which nearly led to a goal
Ferdinand claimed the defending was ‘criminal’ and that Turkey should have been behind
He told the BBC at half-time: ‘That is criminal, leaving men unmarked from a corner, they (Turkey) got away with it.’
Former England defender Ferdinand claimed it was a difficult half for Gunes’ team, who failed to register a single shot during the opening half at the Stadio Olimpico.
He added: ‘Turkey finding it hard, Yilmaz is isolated, they are all deep. When they get ball there is no threat, it’s difficult.
‘Italy have the game sewn up tactically but are lacking the cutting edge.’
Chiellini could only force a finger-tip save from Turkey goalkeeper Ugurcan Cakir at the header
Fellow BBC Sport pundit Alan Shearer agreed with Ferdinand’s view that Italy were the ‘better team’ and claimed Turkey talisman Burak Yilmaz was completely isolated in the final third of the pitch.
Shearer claimed: ‘Italy have been the much better team, they have passed it well, but lack final pass or finish.
Turkey are struggling to get out, they have so many men back. They are working so hard when they do get ball, there’s no support for Yilmaz.
‘Italy have pressed well when they have lost it. When Turkey have been brave on the left-hand side and right-hand side on a couple of times, they have been a problem.’