Euro 2020

Bale stars despite penalty miss and Locatelli nets brace as Italy advance

TURKEY 0-2 WALES

  • Goals: Aaron Ramsey (€8.5m), Connor Roberts (€4.5m)
  • Assists: Gareth Bale (€9.5m) x2

It was a mixed performance for Gareth Bale (€9.5m) as he inspired a 2-0 win for Wales in their second group-stage match at EURO 2020.

The premium midfielder lived up to his price with two assists although a missed penalty and a meeting with Italy’s imperious defence in Matchday 3 is unlikely to put off mass investment.

Wales goalscorer Aaron Ramsey (€8.5m) had a big chance early on in this match but shot straight at Ugurcan Cakir (€4.5m), having opted to turn a defender rather than square for Kieffer Moore (€6.5m).

Burak Yilmaz (€8.0m) then went close at the other end as Turkey broke on Wales. A Chris Mepham (€4.5m) block proved crucial to denying the Crescent Stars’ captain.

Ramsey got on the end of another big opportunity after 23 minutes, firing well over after being found by an excellent Bale pass.

Turkey then saw two off-target headers nodded away from goal by Wales midfielder Joe Morrell (€5.0m) during a succession of corners.

The Bale-Ramsey combination eventually paid dividends for Wales after 42 minutes, with the Real Madrid man sending a superb pass over the Turkey defence to find another great run from the Juventus midfielder.

Ramsey took Bale’s long pass down on his chest before sidefooting the ball into the corner of the Turkey net.

Yilmaz missed a gilt-edged opportunity of his own after 53 minutes, firing a volley over from six yards out while unmarked.

Bale then let Turkey off the chopping block, having won a penalty for a foul by Zeki Celik (€4.5m) just on the edge of the Crescent Stars’ box.

Bale stepped up but ballooned his effort way over Cakir’s crossbar, in an effort more reminiscent of a rugby conversion.

Ramsey eventually turned provider for Bale with a dinked cross inside the box but the Wales talisman could only head straight at Cakir.

“When you have quality like Dan James, Aaron Ramsey, Gareth Bale, Kieffer Moore, you are always going to cause teams problems. We want to go into every game to win. We will have to be mindful of Italy but we will pick a team that can go and compete.” – Interim Wales boss Rob Page

And it was Bale’s magic that sealed the three points for the Dragons during injury time. The midfielder twice conned Turkey into thinking he was time wasting, only to skin a defender and make his way into the box.

Bale shot himself the first time, winning a second corner. On that occasion, he danced into the area before teeing up Connor Roberts (€4.5m) for a first-time finish.

“The penalty miss was obviously disappointing but that’s where my character and fight comes in. I kept going and made up for it with the two assists.” – Gareth Bale


Turkey XI: Cakir; Meras (Mulder 72′), Soyuncu, Ayhan, Celik; Calhanoglu, Yokuslu (Demiral 46′), Tufan (Yazici 46′); Under (Kahveci 82′), Yilmaz, Karaman.

Wales XI: Ward; B Davies, Rodon, Mepham, Roberts; Allen (Ampadu 72′), Morrell; D James (N Williams 90+3′), Ramsey (Wilson 83′), Bale; Moore.

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ITALY 3-0 SWITZERLAND

Locatelli bags his and Italy’s second

  • Goals: Manuel Locatelli (€5.5m) x2, Ciro Immobile (€10.0m)
  • Assists: Domenico Berardi (€6.0m), Nicolo Barella (€7.0m), Rafael Toloi (€4.5m)

Italy’s defence continues to reward Fantasy managers as they recorded a second clean sheet of EURO 2020 and their tenth in as many internationals.

However, whether the Gianluigi Donnarumma (€5.5m) and his colleagues can offer the same Fantasy potential in Matchday 3 remains to be seen considering Italy have now secured passage to the second round – which could trigger rotation against Wales.

Ciro Immobile (€10.0m) may be hoping he can avoid any changes in personnel as he scored his second goal of the tournament against Switzerland and is sure to have one thought on a possible Golden Boot, given how far the Azzurri could go at EURO 2020.

But he now shares the mantle of top goal-scorer among his colleagues with budget midfielder Manuel Locatelli (€5.5m), who netted twice on Wednesday evening.

Giorgio Chiellini (€6.0m) headed Italy in front after 19 minutes but was harshly adjudged to have handled the ball before lashing home.

Seven minutes later, Locatelli started and finished a sumptuous move to put the Azzurri ahead.

The midfielder hit a sweet volleyed pass out to the right flank, finding Domenico Berardi (€6.0m). The winger made his way into the box before squaring for the onrushing Locatelli to sweep past Yann Sommer (€5.0m).

Leonardo Spinazzola (€5.5m) put in two crosses and had one shot inside the box in an all-action display from left-back in the first half.

Locatelli added an outside-the-box goal on 52 minutes, giving Sommer no chance with a super strike after being teed up by Nicolo Barella (€7.0m).

Immobile put the icing on the cake for Italy and his owners with a 25-yard strike just before stoppage time.

That left Lorenzo Insigne (€8.5m) as the only starting member of the Azzurri’s front three without an attacking return against the Swiss.

Italy are now through to the second round, with their clash against Wales on Sunday set to decide who tops Group A.


Italy XI (4-3-3): Donnarumma; Spinazzola, Chiellini, Bonucci, Di Lorenzo; Locatelli (Pessina 85′), Jorginho, Barella (Cristante 85′); Insigne (Chiesa 68′), Immobile, Berardi (Toloi 68′).

Switzerland XI (3-4-2-1): Sommer; Akanji, Schar (Widmer 57′), Elvedi; Rodriguez, Xhaka, Freuler (Sow 84′), Mbabu (Zuber 57′); Shaqiri; Embolo, Seferovic (Gavranovic 46′).

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FINLAND 0-1 RUSSIA

  • Goals: Aleksey Miranchuk (€6.5m)
  • Assists: Artem Dzyuba (€8.5m)

A stunner from Aleksey Miranchuk (€6.5m) banked three points for Russia on Wednesday in a match that hinged on Fantasy favourite Lukas Hrádecky (€4.0m).

34% of EURO Fantasy managers own the Finland goalkeeper, who could not replicate his 13-point haul from the Matchday 1 win over Denmark.

In truth, this was less than an inspiring affair, with the first shot on target not occurring until late into the second half, although Russia did ramp up their efforts in the second.

The Miranchuk’s curling effort, while surrounded by four players, came from an Artem Dzyuba (€8.5m) assist just before half time.

Russia wing-back Mario Fernandes (€5.5m) was forced off after 26 minutes after an awkward fall. His participation against Denmark in Matchday 3 must now be in doubt.

“The players were a real team today. They fulfilled what they had to do and got the win. The formation I chose, I think, was right. To break down their defence we needed to use the wings and we did. The plan worked.” – Russia head coach Stanislav Cherchesov

Finland did have the ball in the net in the first half through Joel Pohjanpalo (€6.0m) but his header was ruled out for offside.

Teemu Pukki (€7.0m) left the pitch after 75 minutes despite Finland trailing, though no explanation was given by head coach Markku Kanerva.

Finland face a huge test against Belgium next Monday, needing a draw at least against the world’s No 1 ranked side.

“We defended well and going forward we improved on our display against Denmark. We didn’t manage to score but we had good situations: some shots that went narrowly wide, others were blocked. It was a really close game. Belgium are the number one team in the world and we will face a really great challenge. We still need to get at least one point and we will do everything to get it. I trust in my players; they have shown before they are capable of doing almost impossible things.” – Markku Kanerva


Finland XI (5-3-2): Hradecky; Uronen, O’Shaughnessy, Arajuuri, Toivio (Jensen 84′), Raitala (Soiri 75′); Kamara, Schuller (Kauko 67′), Lod; Pohjanpalo, Pukki (Lappalainen 75′).

Russia XI (3-4-2-1): Safonov; Dzhikiya, Diveev, Barinov; Kuzyaev, Zobnin, Ozdoev (Zhemaletdinov 61′), M Fernandes (Karavaev 26′); Golovin, Miranchuk (Mukhin 85′); Dzyuba (Sobolev 85′).

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Our Euro 2020 Fantasy coverage

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Group A: Turkey | Italy | Wales | Switzerland

Group B: Denmark | Finland | Belgium | Russia

Group C: Netherlands | Ukraine | Austria | North Macedonia

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Group F: Hungary | Portugal | France | Germany

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200 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Actually excited about the Ukraine v North Macedonia match today. What has the world come to......

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      😀

      I was excited about Austria vs N. Macedonia game last week, even watched the full game 😀

      1. RAMZES666
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        I've caught every game so far because of fantasy

  2. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Would you WC this? Or just do 2 transfers and hope for the best?

    Hradaecky/bachmann
    Kjaer/cancelo/Pau/Spinazzola/Puchachz
    Eriksen/Alaba/Yazici/berrardi/Ferran
    Ronaldo/depay/Lukaku

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Tough week to predict the lineup

      Cancelo and Puchachz in defense, Eriksen and Yacizi, even Berrardi in midfield plus Ferran vs France are issues that need to be solved. I guess WC should work in your case.

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        *Ignore Ferran vs France*

        1. The Red Devil
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          Lol, yeah, was thinking of WC myself, will load up on Italy starters plus those who've to win to get through

  3. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Depay or Yarmo captain?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Yarmo

    2. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Depay for safe; Yarmo for a good punt. I would probably go Yarmo if there were 2 days cover coming up.

    3. Gleys11
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Tough one. I have Lukaku also.
      Heading myself for Yarmo over Depay.
      Lukaku or Yarmo im not sure

      1. fenixri
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        I am in same boat. Everyone in my league has Lukaku and everyone will probably have him C. On the other hand I am the only one with Yarmolenko.

        1. Gleys11
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          And if he plays like he did against NL he could score high.
          And they need to go for the win.

      2. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        I personally like Depay as a differential over Kaku as I think he has a much better fixture. Just not sure if I can trust Yarmo with the armband.

  4. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    As i’m the only one with ukraine players in my ML huge differentials, shall i play safe with Lukaku (c) a lot will have him (c).

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      If you have Mbappe/Griezmann on last day, play safe.

      1. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah mbappe, alba and hernandez to come off bench.

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Yarmo(c) + Yaemchuk here.
      Only call I got correct last week was Yarmo

      1. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Ukraine boys great options today, although they looked toothless first half, i expect thrm to have to much for macedonia

      2. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        A very effective player for his country and on pens. I have him too but not last week.

  5. Eze Really?
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Listened to the noise yesterday before kick off. Brought Fernandez in (whoops). I have been the kiss of death. Injury after injury.
    I presume most are on limitless. What are the plans for next week when we have an idea who can get rested?

    1. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Wildcard 🙂

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        It can pay. I just wanted the option of keeping the WC in last 8. Limitless could be a bad call at this point.

        1. DAZZ
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          Saving it for what? 3 for the quaters, 5 for semis and 5 for the final is enough to navigate the late stages. Everyone will have the same team anyway. Now is the time to nail the chips and gain a lead. Also unlimited before round of 16.

          1. Eze Really?
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            If last 16 throws two strange results, you can get caught. If I used the WC in MD3 I would ensure I had a fair spread of teams that, in itself, can weaken a side.

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      LL3

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Could pay; or it might not. Psychological waste of the chip in the decisions of many.

    3. fenixri
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Fernandes was great option. You cant predict things like that.

      Plan is to get by with team I have. Using WC is big gamble to get in players that will start, plus most of them will be reserves which you dont know how they will play. I say if you have 8-9 possible starters I wouldn't use WC.

      1. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        This is my way of thinking ATM. Because 3rd place can get teams through we might find our cheapies will perform better than our big hitters. Germany/Portugal may have to play their best sides. A wait and see. I have Erik but I need to be patient on who comes in for him.

  6. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Forgot to change my team, now I only hide behind a very large sofa all of MD2.:(

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Just wait for GW1 FPL.

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Same happened to me. It's a tough one to swallow.

  7. fenixri
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Yarmolenko good shout for C today? I have Kane/Sterling and Mbappe in line waiting.

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      A very good call.

      1. fenixri
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        So lets be it. I need some luck after yesterday Fernandes(C)

        1. Eze Really?
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          I had him too. Noise on the site made me bring him in. Bad luck but both going for Yarmo.

  8. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Building a WC team looks tough this week. There's an equal chance of getting it right or completely wrong.

    Don't think it's correct to assume Lukaku/Depay/Kane etc will be benched if Belgium/Netherlands/England win their 2nd games.

    Germany is a team to target but there could be rotation their with Sane, Havertz, Gnabry & Timo competing for 4 spots.

    1. fenixri
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Don't forget that if England finish 1st in their group they will play all remaining matches of the tournament on Wembley.

      1. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        They will lose to Portugal or Germany in last 16 if they top their group.

        1. Ron_Swanson
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          Same applies if they finish second

          1. ivantys
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 9 months ago

            What? Sweden/Slovakia are hard games if they finsih 2nd?

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      May aswell, i think QF,SF will be manageable without WC when there are limited teams available, and harder to gain ground. I think now is the time to go all out and try gaining a big ML lead

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Just built a nice draft which I'm happy with, cant really predict who will be rotated. Going with players who are more likely to start.

      Triple Italy and Germany plus couple of Ukraine players gets a nice core of players.

  9. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Captain Lukaku or Meunier today?

    1. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      I know they dispatched Russia but Meunier may not keep a cleanie against a side that could be up for it or on a downer.

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Can’t look past Lukaku today.

  10. Well you know, Triffic
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Hi all, due to a balls up with my team selection I can only pick two of Zinchenko, Meunier and Dumfries.

    Which 2 would you go with? I'm thinking Zinchenko and Meunier as Netherlands don't look great defensively. Thanks!

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Dumfries and Meunier. De Ligt is likely to start, so Netherlands will probably do better defensively.

  11. -GK22-
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    14 Immobile points enough to leave armband on him of move to either

    Lukaku
    Yarmalenko
    Gigi/Dumfries

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      If you have Mbappe/Grienzmann for last day, twist.

  12. Calum Undisputed
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Capt of the day
    1. Myokolenko
    2. Dumfries
    3. Wijnaldum
    4. Depay

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      1.

  13. Bene_the_horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Hay all! Tough call for captain today. Who do you think I should go for?

    A. Yarmolenko
    B. Zinchenko
    C. Wiljnaldum

    Thanks in advance!

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      A

      1. Gleys11
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        A

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      B

  14. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Captained Immobile, shift it to Depay or leave it, could move it to Kane tomorrow. Thinking of just sticking?

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Stick

    2. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Shift

      1. Van der Faart
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        To Depay and then possibly Kane?

  15. Johnny Drama
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Just woke up to realise I’m in the top 1K in the world, pretty mad. Still a little frustrating to know Bale (C) could have got me 15+ points… but still, can’t complain!

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Fair to say you're feeling on top of the world (or near enough!) this morning?

  16. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Morning chaps. Two captain choices today for my team. Yarmolenko or Dumfries? I like the latter for assist, goal and clean sheet (this more unlikely than the others) potential. Which do you think? Also have Gini and Yaremchuk.

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Yarmolenko

  17. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Cap choice for today:
    Zinchenko
    Lukaku
    Wijnaldum

    On Wijnaldum at the moment.

    1. Aster
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Zinc

  18. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Can I fix this team with 2 FT and save WC for QF?

    Bachmann Hradecky
    P. Torres Kjaer Maehle Denayer* Risktovski
    Insigne Torres Berardi Eriksen* Nikolov
    Lukaku Ronaldo Depay

  19. Mr_Barbs
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Captain today? Have Kane/Sterling/Mbappe/Griezmann for backup.

    A) Yarmolenko
    B) Malinovskyi
    C) Meunier
    D) Wijnaldum/Dumfries

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      with those left choices after today i would punt on Yarmolenko!

      1. Mr_Barbs
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Thank you. I'm favouring the Ukraine players. Worth a punt!

  20. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Who is on pens for Ukraine?

    1. Mr_Barbs
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      Not clear cut but Yarmo or Malinovskyi. Think Zinchenko has taken one before

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Looking at recent pre euro game earlier today Zin scored 2nd pen and think Yarmo scored 1st

        1. Mr_Barbs
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 9 months ago

          Yep! Would probably bet on Yarmo being first choice then

  21. Kiwivillan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Silly question. Can I put captain for block of games coming up then change again before first game?

  22. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 9 months ago

    Can anyone clarify what would happen if I made my two free transfers before GW3 and then decided to play Wildcard? Would it prevent me from playing the WC if I had done this or would something else happen?

    Cheers.

    1. Overated Mou
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 9 months ago

      no mate
      you can still do wc
      your previous hit (if any) in the same gw will be cancelled

      1. artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers!