Italy will be heading into the upcoming 2024 European Championships in Germany with the goal of becoming only the second nation to successfully defend their title. Spain holds the distinction of achieving this feat in 2008 and 2012, being the first team to win the continental championship in consecutive tournaments. The Azzurri emerged victorious in Euro 2020 by defeating England in a penalty shootout at Wembley Stadium. However, their journey since then has not unfolded as expected.
Their attempt to secure a place in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar was unsuccessful, and they faced significant challenges in securing a place in this summer’s tournament.
The recent performances of the team have not been impressive, as indicated by the bookmakers who have placed several teams ahead of them in the current outright betting.
According to the latest Euro 2024 odds, Italy is offered at 16/1 to win the trophy, underscoring the difficult task that lies ahead for them this summer.
Coach Luciano Spalletti is faced with some difficult decisions to make as he finalizes his squad for the tournament, with several positions still up for grabs. Stay tuned as we analyze Italy’s opponents in Germany and evaluate the players who will represent them in the upcoming summer tournament.
Italy finds themselves in a challenging opening group with Spain, Croatia, and Albania, but they are confident in their ability to advance to the knockout stage.
Spain is considered one of the top contenders to win the tournament, and Croatia possesses the skill to defeat any of the higher-ranked teams.
Albania emerged as the leaders of their qualifying group, surpassing Czechia and Poland, so it would be unwise to overlook their potential to cause upsets in this group.
Italy will face:
- Albania on June 15
- Spain on June 20
- Croatia on June 24
Goalkeepers
Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur), Alex Meret (Napoli).
Gianluigi Donnarumma, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, showcased his exceptional skills during Euro 2020 and was rightfully awarded the Player of the Tournament as the first goalkeeper to achieve this honor. As Italy’s undisputed starter this summer, the 25-year-old will need to be in top form for Italy to have a chance at defending their title.
Meanwhile, Alex Meret and Guglielmo Vicario, representing Napoli and Tottenham Hotspur respectively, are expected to serve as Donnarumma’s backups in Germany, despite their limited international experience with only four caps combined.
Additionally, Marco Carnesecchi from Atalanta and Ivan Provedel from Lazio, who have yet to make their international debuts, could potentially be called up if any unforeseen circumstances arise with Italy’s top goalkeepers.
Defenders
Francesco Acerbi (Inter), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta), Matteo Darmian (Inter).
Inter Milan players are expected to play a significant role in Italy’s defense during the upcoming season, given their outstanding performances for the Serie A champions-elect.
Acerbi, Dimarco, and Bastoni are all strong candidates to start, providing a solid foundation for Spalletti’s team. Di Lorenzo is also likely to have a prominent role, with Buongiorno and Scalvini offering additional defensive options. Andrea Cambiaso is vying for a spot, particularly following Destiny Udogie’s injury, but Inter’s Matteo Darmian is the frontrunner due to his versatility in playing as a center-back.
Midfield
Jorginho (Arsenal), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Giacomo Bonaventura (Fiorentina), Manuel Locatelli (Juventus), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Nicolo Barella (Inter), Lorenzo Pelligrini (Roma).
Italy has a wealth of midfield options at their disposal, with Barella being tasked with shouldering the creative burden in Germany.
Jorginho and Locatelli will compete for a starting position as the midfield anchor, while Pelligrini’s adaptability should ensure regular appearances in the starting lineup.
Spalletti will also depend on Bonaventura this summer, while Frattesi will have chances to display his talent during this period.
Although Andrea Colpani and Matteo Pessina from Monza are making a strong case for inclusion, it is likely that Spalletti will overlook them.
Forwards
Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Nicolò Zaniolo (Aston Villa).
Italy boasts a wide array of choices in various positions on the field, but unfortunately, the same cannot be said for their attacking options. The absence of a top-tier striker may prove to be a significant obstacle in their quest to retain the championship this season.
Nevertheless, Mateo Retegui appears to be a promising prospect with his impressive goal-scoring record, having scored four goals in just six matches.
Additionally, Gianluca Scamacca is in excellent form as the season draws to a close, making a strong case for his inclusion in the team. The burden will fall on winger Chiesa to replicate his stellar performance from Euro 2024, although even his efforts may not suffice for Italy to triumph this summer.
