Fixtures, predictions and top players

For the first time since 1972, Italy are entering a European competition as hosts.

The Azzurri used to be almost a man’s men after securing their first European title during the third edition of the competition in 1968.

Italy lost in the final before Roberto Mancini’s side advanced to Euro 2020 belatedly breaking English hearts at Wembley. However, while there was a sense that the Italians rode a consistent pace in the previous tournament, the hosts enter Euro 2024 with a different sense of doubt.

Here it is 90 min Italy’s guide to Euro 2024.

Luciano Spalletti named a provisional 30-man squad ahead of Italy’s pre-tournament friendlies and cut four stars from the list for his final selection.

Italy remain solid defensively despite the retirements of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci since their Euro 2020 triumph, although the Inter defender Francesco Acerbi he was forced to withdraw due to injury. The Tottenham team Destiny Udogie it was also found out that he will have surgery in April.

Manuel Locatelli the notable absence of Spalletti’s midfield selection, period Gianluca Scamacca again Mateo Retegui 9 is the only recognized number in the group. Nicolo Fagioli again Michael Folorunsho with two inexperienced midfielders called in to replace Locatelli.

Italy squad for Euro 2024

Spalletti has long been wedded to a 4-3-3 formation and the former Napoli boss has tried to stick to the principles that helped the Azzurri rise to European glory under Mancini.

This Italian side will look very different to the last three years, however. The back line has been renewed and remains strong, with Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile and Domenico Berardi, all of whom featured heavily at Euro 2020, missing out this summer.

A personnel change saw Spalletti move from Mancini’s 4-3-3 and use the Italian 3-4-2-1. Italy’s impressive array of young defenders make this a smart choice and they have arguably the best defender in the world in Inter’s Federico Dimarco.

There may be some concerns about the performance of the pivot double of Jorginho and Nicolo Barella. Spalletti may want an extra midfielder in the big time and play two up. Federico Chiesa can work for Gianluca Scamacca in 3-5-2.

Overall, Spalletti’s Italy has less control than the Scudetto-winning manager’s Napoli outfit. They are positionally tight compared to Mancini’s Azzurri, with Spalletti giving his players more license to roam and rotate within the formation.

Their strength is in Dimarco and they could be strong on crosses given the quality of the Inter man’s delivery and the aerial ability of Scamacca.

Outside of football, Spalletti has so far had mixed success trying to install a man-centric press that often sees them struggle to dominate competitions. However, they are traditionally strong when defending their box and boast the necessary profiles to pose a constant threat in transition.

Group B has the potential to be a ‘group of death’, where the participants are drawn against two teams in the top ten FIFA world rankings.

Italy will face two-time European champions Spain and a Croatia side that has always done well at major tournaments, even if their Golden Generation is fading.

Albania finishes in Group B and Italy will face them in the first match of the tournament, Spalletti’s team need all three points in Dortmund to give them a chance to go top.

Italy’s Euro 2024 matches in the group stage

Italy’s record against Euro 2024 group stage opponents

Italy’s potential enemies

Italy have their work cut out for them if they are to win Group B, but such a victory would see them rewarded with a place in the round of 16 against one of the four potential third-place finishers. Host Germany will be on this side if they win Group A, as well as Portugal if they top Group F.

Finishing in second place will join them with the runners-up in Group A in the Last 16. Although they may avoid Germany, the Azzurri could face Switzerland, Hungary and Scotland. Pre-tournament favorites England and France could be on the receiving end of their draw.

Qualifying as one of the top three is also possible given the strength of the Italian team. This time, Spalletti’s team may face either Belgium or Portugal in the round of 16.

Italy won Euro 2020 despite Ciro Immobile’s excellent performances, the Azzurri are often left short in 9th place on the big stage. Immobile has an impressive scoring record in Serie A but has never played for the national team.

There are great hopes Gianluca Scamacca he can fill the void. The Atalanta striker has also struggled to find any kind of groove for his country as he has scored just one goal in 15 games. However, he enters Euro 2024 having netted 18 times for Atalanta in 2023/24.

Federico Chiesa is expected to work closely with Scamacca and the Italians desperately need the Juventus star to regain his strong form this summer. Chiesa had a stellar run at Euro 2020 but injuries have prevented the electric winger from emerging as one of Europe’s best. His form for Juve has been indifferent for a long time but he is used to playing for the national team.

Nicolo Barella he is arguably Italy’s best player and will play an all-encompassing midfield role in Germany, season Federico Dimarco magnificent down the left side. Alessandro Bastoni He also enjoyed a good season at Inter, and he has a goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma it has been crucial to their success over the past three years.

Atalanta Giorgio Scalvini He was due to play a bigger role for Spalletti this summer, especially after Acerbi’s injury, but the young Italian defender tore his hamstring during Atalanta’s last Serie A exit of the season against Fiorentina and will be out of action until the end of 2024. .

With Acerbi and Scalvini out, the onus may fall on the entrepreneurs Ricardo Calafiori, who was not expected to feature much for the Azzurri this summer. The Bologna defender has featured on Thiago Motta’s side’s 2023/24 squad and is an eye-catching defender.

Pessimism is a common feeling surrounding the Italian national team towards Euro 2024, where Spalletti’s team selection has failed to inspire.

A tough Group B means Italy can struggle early on, but they are strong defensively and can beat anyone on their day. Their squad is not as strong as it was under Mancini, although they should benefit from their key players making their debuts.

It’s hard to imagine the managers enjoying a deep run in Germany, with the quarter-final perhaps their ceiling. It sounds like they really need Chiesa and Scamacca to be successful.