Italy begin their Euro 2024 campaign on Saturday against Albania in Dortmund and will be set on retaining the title. However, it won't be easy, as they will be competing with the likes of Spain and Croatia in this tournament's "Group Of Death." With some new selections and some familiar faces, how far can Italy get in Germany?
Surviving This Year's Group Of Death
Group B has to be considered Euro 2024's group of death and will certainly offer a tough task for Italy if they are to progress at this year's competition as they are joined by Albania, Croatia, another powerhouse of European international football, as well as Spain, another side that is one of the stronger in Europe and are a three-time euros winner has won this competition. This is a side that Italy will be all too familiar with having gone up against them at the semi-final of Euro 2020 in a tense penalty shootout.
Italy's first game is this Saturday, and they will be taking on Albania. While this should be a game in which they get all three points, Croatia and Spain are also expected to win. Albania shouldn't be taken for granted. While it seems like an easy win for Italy and the two other teams involved, Albania could provide a stumbling block that could shake up the group's order and cause a surprise upset.
Italy's second group-stage match is against Spain. Both teams know each other well when it comes to the Euros. Italy lost to Spain in the final of Euro 2012, and in the previous tournament, Italy were victorious over Spain in the semi-final. So both will go into this game with a point to prove, and it will certainly be one of the closest games of Group B between two favourites to top the group.
Italy's final game is against Croatia, and again, like their match-up against Spain, it will be an incredibly close game. The two countries have drawn 1-1 in their last three fixtures, including a group-stage match at Euro 2012. The two nations have only played each other nine times since their first match-up in 1942, and like their clash with Spain, this should be set up to create another close encounter.
While the group is difficult for Italy, like Spain, they have experience winning the competition, and this should play to their advantage. Croatia is a strong contender, but they do not have the same experience, so it most likely should be between Italy and Spain for the top two places. However, any one of the three could go through as one of the best third-place teams, but this group could very much create a shock upset.
Player Watch: Who To Look out For At Euro 2024
Whilst it is not the finest Italian squad, there are some talented young players as well as the three superstars; the ever-present Gianluigi Donnaruma in goal, as well as the Inter Milan duo of Nicolo Barella in midfield and Alessandro Bastoni in defence; however, it is not the Italy of old, missing the leadership of the likes of Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci. This may not be the strongest Italy squad going into a Euros, but it is decent enough to still do well in the tournament.
Referring back to the youngsters in the squad, Torino's Alessandro Buongiorno, who looks set for a move to Napoli, and Juventus youngster Andrea Cambiasso are two stand-out players who look to have the most potential to impress this summer.
The three superstar players, as well as the handful of talented youngsters, including wingback Di Marco, and depending on how well the attacking threats of Gianluca Scamacca, Federico Chiesa, and Lorenzo Pellegrini play Italy's strongest hand, could be their attacking options.
How Will Italy Fair at Euro 2024?
Whilst Italy have drawn a short straw into the group of death alongside Croatia, Spain, and an Albania side that will have some familiar faces from Serie A, it is tough because, more than likely, Spain will top the group, and the remaining second place will be up for grabs for Italy or Croatia. However, due to the strong nature of the group, it is very likely that one of the three countries will go through as one of the four best third-placed teams.
Whilst Luciano Spalletti will certainly want to go to Germany in the hope of retaining the title, realistically, should Italy be knocked out past the group stage, whilst it will be frustrating, it is not the end of the world as realistically Spalletti has had little time to properly install himself into the national team setup and this tournament is a good opportunity to see what he can bring from his time as a club manager and regardless of how Italy's tournament goes this will certainly springboard a national team that is in a time of change towards the world cup qualifiers for 2026 a tournament that in recent history they have not been a part of since Brazil 2014.
Italy often defy the odds stacked against them, as not many believed they could reach the final, let alone win it at Euro 2020, and they managed to prove people wrong, and it seems the same in the run-up to Euro 2024 that not many think that it will come back to Rome, and whilst the group is not in their favour it may take a while for people to realise that the Azzurri are not a team to be slept on.
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