L’Italy of coach Luciano Spalletti a Euro 2024 will try to defend the trophy won three years ago at Wembley. Let’s find out in detail how the Azzurri will present themselves at the competition.
Among the teams participating in Euro 2024 that will try to raise the Cup to the sky there is also Italian national team of the CT Luciano Spalletti. After a qualifying phase passed in a less than brilliant way, the men’s team representing the tricolor will be in Germany together with 23 other teams.
This time too, Italy is not the favourites, but could carve out its usual role as the “surprise of the tournament”.
Let’s find out the squad chosen by the Tuscan coach, the opponents in the drawn group and some other curiosities.
The team squad: Italy’s players at Euro 2024
There was no shortage of news from the 30 players selected by Spalletti. One of the most relevant concerns the convocation of Beans. His presence at Euro 2024 is not yet certain, but it should be taken into consideration. In the blue midfield there are players like Stretcher And Jorginho- the latter is the only real director supported by Cristante. But a midfielder with the characteristics of the Juventus player is missing.
Confirmed the entry into the team of Calafiori, a defender equipped with a technique comparable to that of a midfielder, versatile both in the center and on the wings and equipped with a strong personality and offensive skills. Also Bellanova And Cambiaso they have a guaranteed call-up: the former is an extremely fast right-back and the latter is more technical and can be exploited both on the sides and in the centre. The Turin native is also among those called up Riccia fast-paced playmaker and midfielder.
They will be three notable absentees: Tonali, Berardi and Zaniolo. Much less quality. Consequently, among the possible substitutes, Orsolini And Zaccagni they are the most favored for tactical reasons.
Regarding the attack, Scamacca clarified any doubts about his role. The Atalanta striker, who stood out in the Europa League, has exceptional qualities. Retegui represents more than an alternative while Raspadori offers the versatility to act as a centre-forward, winger or attacking midfielder. There could be room for a surprise from Spalletti. However, the national team’s lineup appears almost complete.
These are the 30 players called up by Luciano Spalletti’s Italy:
Goalkeepers (4)
- Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint Germain);
- Alex Meret (Naples);
- Ivan Provedel (Lazio);
- William Vicar (Tottenham).
Defenders (11)
- Francis Unripe (Inter);
- Alexander Sticks (Inter);
- Raoul Bellanova (Turin);
- Alexander Good morning (Turin);
- Richard Calafiori (Bologna);
- Andrew Cambiaso (Juventus);
- Matteo Darmian (Inter);
- John By Lorenzo (Naples);
- Federico Marco’s (Inter);
- Gianluca Left-handed (Rome);
- George Scalvini (Atalanta).
Midfielders (8)
- Nicholas Stretcher (Inter);
- Bryan Cristante (Rome);
- Nicholas Beans (Juventus);
- Michael Folorunsho (Hellas Verona);
- David Frattesi (Inter);
- Jorginho (Arsenal);
- Lorenzo Pilgrims (Rome);
- Samuel Ricci (Turin).
Attackers (7)
- Federico Church (Juventus);
- Stephen El Shaarawy (Rome);
- Richard Orsolini (Bologna);
- James Raspadori (Naples);
- Mateo Retegui (Genoa);
- Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta);
- Matthias Zaccagni (Lazio).
The profile of the coach: who is Luciano Spalletti
Luciano Spallettiborn on 7 March 1959 in Certaldo – in the province of Florence – was appointed coach of the Italian national football team by the FIGC on 18 August after the resignation of Roberto Mancini. Spalletti’s career as a coach took off Empoli where, in the ’93-’94 season, he began leading one of the youth teams. After concluding his career as a footballer there, Spalletti was promoted to the first team towards the end of the Serie C1 championship, managing to guarantee survival thanks to the play-outs. In the ’95-’96 season he led the Tuscans to win a Serie C Italian Cup and promotion to Serie B, followed by another promotion to Serie A the following year and salvation in their first year in the top flight.
After Empoli, move on to Sampdoria in Genoa, meeting Vincenzo Montella again. Despite returning to the bench after his dismissal, he was unable to avoid relegation. From 1999 to 2002 Spalletti coaches in Serie A Venice, Udinese And Ancona, concluding with an eighth place with Ancona. He then returned to Udine in 2003, leading Udinese to top positions in the league and in Europe: a fourth place in the top flight and qualification for the Champions League.
The jump to Rome marks an era of success, with a record 11 consecutive victories in Serie A and two Italian Cups (2007 and 2008) and one Italian Super Cup (2008), despite some difficult moments in the Champions League. After an experience in Russia with Zenitwhere he won two scudetti and a cup, he returned to Roma in 2016, reaching third place in the championship and a second place with a record of points and goals in 2017. A period followed atInter with two consecutive Champions League qualifiers, before a two-year break.
He returns as coach to Naples in 2021-22, winning the scudetto in 2023 and becoming the coach with the most victories in the history of Serie A. He announces his decision not to continue with Napoli despite the contract extension.
The overall palmares counts: 1 scudetto (Napoli ’23), 2 Italian Cups (Roma ’07 and ’08), an Italian Super Cup (Rome ’08), a Serie C Italian Cup (Empoli ’96); 2 championships in Russia (Zenit ’10 and ’12), a Russian Cup (’10), a Russian Super Cup (Zenit ’11). On an individual level, he also boasts the 2004-2005 Golden Bench, the AIC Best Coach Award (2006, 2007), the Enzo Bearzot National Award (2023) and the Award for Best Serie A Coach awarded by the League.
Curiosities and statistics on the Italian national team at the European Championships
Italy won the UEFA European Championship title for the first time in 1968, defeating Yugoslavia. In 2020, the Italian national team won its second European title, prevailing over England on penalties. Euro 2024 scores the eleventh participation of Italy at the European Championships. The two-time European champions also reached the final in 2012 in the edition hosted by Poland and Ukraine.
Let’s look at some numbers in detail:
- Best placement: champion 1968, 2020;
- Appearances at the European Championships: 10;
- Editions of the European Championships from the host nation: 1968 (V), 1980 (4th);
- Overall budget: G45, V21, P18, S6, GF52, GS31;
- Group stage results: G27, V15, P9, S3, GF34, GS15;
- Results of the direct elimination phase: G18, V6, P9, S3, GF18, GS16.
The Italian player who has scored the most goals in the history of the European Football Championships is Mario Balotelliwith the 3 goals made during Euro 2012.
Group B: all the news on Italy’s opponents at Euro 2024
After a less than stellar qualifying run, which saw Italy finish behind England and tied with Ukraine, the draw in Hamburg placed the Azzurri in the fourth pot and defined their opponents in the Group B of Euro 2024: these are Spain, Croatia and Albania. This group promises complex challenges.
Italy, the reigning champions, will defend the title with pride, starting their journey against Sylvinho’s Albania. Each match will be crucial and risky for the Azzurri. Let’s therefore analyze the profile of each opposing national team.
Spain
Despite moving away from the Tiki Taka style, Spain remain a significant threat thanks to their high tactical level and talents in the squad. After meeting the Spaniards in the semi-finals at Euro 2020, Italy knows what to expect and will have to find a winning strategy. Key Players: Gavi, Pedri, Oyarzabal, Morata.
20/06: Spain – Italy (9.00pm), AufSchalke Arena of Gelsenkirchen.
Croatia
With players of the caliber of Luka Modric and Ivan Perisic, Croatia will attempt to surpass their past successes. The European Championships in Germany could represent the last great opportunity for these athletes to make their mark. Key Players: Modric, Kovacic, Brozovic.
24/06: Croatia – Italy (9:00 pm)Leipzig Stadium in Leipzig.
Albania
Albania arrives at the event ready to demonstrate its value, supported by the enthusiasm and presence of many well-known players in the Italian championship. This is a factor that could be advantageous for Italy, but also potentially risky. Key Players: Ramadani, Cuni, Bajrami, Asslani.
15/06: Italy – Albania (9.00pm), BVB Stadion Of Dortmund.
Article Modified On:May 27, 2024
