Three years after their emotional victory at Wembley, Italy must protect their name at the European Championship on German soil. Italy’s triumph in 2020 marked a resurgence for the Azzurri, but replicating that good fortune will be tricky this time around.
History opposes them, with Spain managing to win back-to-back titles. La Roja won back-to-back matches in 2008 and 2012.
Italian coach Luciano Spalletti is facing demanding situations ahead of Euro 2024. You will have to conscientiously combine the seasoned veterans of the championship-winning team with exciting young talents. This procedure is more delicate due to injuries and the fact that some players are nearing the end of their careers.
Can Italy beat the odds and the second team to win back-to-back Euros?Let’s explore his possibilities in this tournament. For the most productive Euro 2024 predictions, visit the EaglePredict website. Betting specialists have created a Euro 2024 hub full of in-depth research and predictions about this tournament.
Luciano Spalletti’s experience and tactical strength are something that can help Italy retain the name. The coach is very enthusiastic and recorded good luck with teams such as Roma and Zenit St. Petersburg in the past of his career. Spalletti’s crowning came in 2022-2023 when he led Napoli to Serie A glory. The feat earned him the name Serie A Coach of the Year and gave Napoli its first Scudetto title in 33 years.
Spalletti’s tactical adaptability will be key to protecting the Italian title. He can exchange high-pressure tactics to subdue his warring parties and is adept at deploying a systematic strategy to break down defenses. This flexibility makes Italy a formidable opponent in any match.
His cutting-edge formations and methods underline Spalletti’s game plan for Euro 2024. The Azzurri need to experiment with other systems to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses.
Applying everything from classic formations such as the 4-3-3 to less conventional arrangements such as the 3-5-2, Italy must fuse a solid defensive base with strong attacking intent.
Integration of young people with experienced ones.
As the Azzurri prepare to protect their European Championship, team manager Luciano Spalletti has shown himself willing to take risks with young players. Since he took office in August, Spalletti has talked unabashedly about the need for a systemic replacement and subsidized his rhetoric with decisive action. .
Returning from a tour of the United States, the 65-year-old travelled to Ferrara’s Stadio Paolo Mazza to visit U21 coach Carmine Nunziata in a hugely important match against Turkey. Italy wants this kind of vertical leadership to be revived beyond greatness. Spalletti made it clear that age won’t be a barrier if a player’s skills are up to par.
Spalletti tried Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus) and Raoul Bellanova (Torino) on the right of the American expedition. When the European Championship rolls around, either of them will be 24 years old and will offer backup options to Giovanni Di Lorenzo. Cambioo, with his position reversed, represents a greater goalscoring threat, as he scored twice and provided 3 assists in Serie A in the 2023-24 season.
Bellanova, with one goal and five assists, prefers to occupy a wider position for longer. If Spalletti chooses the 3-4-2-1 as his main strategy, the two could accompany the team to Germany.
The average age of Spalletti’s 28-man squad for the U. S. tour is 25. 8, a relief from 27. 3 at Euro 2020. Only five players have more than 30 caps. Of Mancini’s players who won the championship, only nine have participated, leaving Nicolò Barella as the most experienced outfield player with 53 appearances.
As Spalletti begins the meticulous task of reshaping the team, a tricky resolution emerges: how to deal with veteran players. Key figures such as Marco Verratti would possibly have to be ruled out due to them being past their prime or playing outside of Europe’s elite leagues.
Maintaining his winning mentality from 2021 onwards is still a hurdle to overcome. The burden of replicating their good fortune can make it difficult for them to regain the intensity and determination that marked their campaign beyond.
However, the Azzurri are not without significant assets. Most of the more level-headed stars from the 2020 champion team are still available. The formidable defensive alliance of Bonucci and Chiellini, as long as they remain injury-free, brings great joy and leadership to the backline. Other experienced players will be mentoring the younger generation of players.
Jorginho’s rebirth at Arsenal has been a boon for Italy in a welcome turn of events. The Brazilian-born midfield master will likely face a tough festival from Manuel Locatelli for a place in the starting eleven. Still, the 32-year-old is expected to be the linchpin of a midfield that will feature dynamic Nicolo Barella. The intellectual strength of those veterans can be decisive in getting through the tricky matches of Euro 2024.
The presence of promising talents such as Federico Chiesa and Alessandro Bastoni infused the team with new vigour and skills. His preference for identifying himself in the national team may be an abundant merit for the Italian team.
Italy has a lot of potential. Their mix of enthusiastic veterans, hungry young stars and Spalletti’s sharp wit makes them a team worth watching. Combining joy and younger strength can be their secret weapon to winning back-to-back European titles for the first time in their history.
Possible challenging situations for Italy
Suspension & Key Players
Sandro Tonali’s 10-month ban for illicit activities is a major setback for the national team. The Italians are also facing the absence of Domenico Berardi, the Sassuolo winger whose prowess contributed to Italy’s Euro 2020 triumph. A serious ruptured Achilles tendon sidelined him, and his return to the box is not expected until the following year.
Fate dealt a similar blow to Udogie, who, despite not being a starter, can be a suitable reserve for the team. A thigh injury that required surgery has postponed his return to next season.
In addition, a microfracture destroyed Nicolo Zaniolo’s competition hopes. His injury leaves coach Spalletti with reduced attacking options, as Zaniolo had been a dynamic force during his loan spell at Aston Villa.
Similarly, Marco Verratti, the linchpin of Italy’s past European conquest, stands out from the strain group. His ongoing fitness issues and the transfer of his career to the United Arab Emirates have prevented him from competing in the upcoming championship.
In addition, the prospect of an injury to goalkeeper Donnarumma looms as a potential crisis for Italy. With Alex Meret, Guglielmo Vicario, Marco Carnesecchi and Ivan Provedel all making four international appearances, the experience of Italian goalkeepers is at stake. Their resilience will be tested as they navigate those turbulent waters.
Road to the final
Italy’s quest to the last 16 of Euro 2024 will not be easy. The Azzurri meet in Group B, aptly nicknamed the “Group of Death”. They will face formidable opponents from the start. They will face Spain, Croatia and Albania. Italy’s performance in this difficult organization will be an indicator of their chances of clinching the title.
It is essential to note that the organization phase, while providing an in-depth insight into each team’s capabilities, does not only influence the final results of Euro 2024. Factors such as a favorable draw in the knockout stages, a healthy squad and moments of individual magic are all influential.
However, a strong functionality at the organizational level will place the Italians in the right environment for a deep career in this competition. This will allow Italy to gain momentum, refine their methods and build confidence in their players. This will also serve as intent to your opponents.
The discourse around Italy’s functionality at the organizational level is sure to be lively. An imposing presence will instill positivity in the Italian team, provoking apprehension among their rivals. However, even if its functionality doesn’t immediately dazzle, it shouldn’t be taken out of context.
Ultimately, the true measure of Italy’s championship aspirations will depend on their ability to evolve, adapt and overcome the obstacles encountered in the tournament. While the level of organisation may subtly indicate their prospects, the Azzurri’s reaction to each challenge will be to decisively reveal whether they can return to European glory.
The Italian name’s defense is based on his ability to triumph over ancient challenges, integrating young skill and his winning mentality.
The presence of exciting players, the emergence of exciting teenagers and Spalletti’s tactical acumen offer explanations for the optimism. However, Italy has the skill and experience to fight for the name. However, his path to retaining the euro’s name will not be easy.
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