Italy enters Euro 2024 in Germany aiming to defend their UEFA European Championship crown, a feat achieved in the memorable summer of 2021. However, the aura of invincibility that surrounded the Azzurri after their Wembley triumph has somewhat diminished. As they prepare to compete for the Italy National Football Team Uefa Euro Standings, questions linger about their capacity to replicate past glory.
⚽ Italy – Euro 2024 Key Stats ⚽
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Euro Appearances | 10 |
| Euro Titles | 2 |
| Best Finish | Winners (1968, 2020) |
| Euros Record | W21 D18 L6 |
| Goals Scored | 52 |
| Biggest Win | 3-0 (vs Turkey & Switzerland, Euro 2020) |
| Player to Watch | Federico Dimarco |
| FIFA World Ranking | 9th |
| Team Nickname | Gli Azzurri (the Blues) |
Euro 2024 Group Stage Fixtures:
- June 15: Italy vs Albania (BVB Stadion, Dortmund, 9pm local/7pm GMT)
- June 20: Spain vs Italy (Arena AufSchalke, Gelsenkirchen, 9pm local/7pm GMT)
- June 24: Croatia vs Italy (Leipzig Stadium, Leipzig, 9pm local/7pm GMT)
Italy’s journey to Euro 2024 and their quest to improve their Italy national football team UEFA Euro standings has been far from straightforward. The euphoria of Euro 2020 victory was quickly followed by disappointment and uncertainty, setting the stage for a challenging title defense.
Rocky Road to Germany: Qualification Woes
The shadow of missing out on the 2022 Qatar World Cup looms large over the Italian side. Their failure to qualify for Qatar, losing to North Macedonia in a playoff semi-final, was a stark reminder of football’s unpredictable nature. This setback significantly dented the confidence and momentum built during their European Championship success.
Their Euro 2024 qualification campaign mirrored these struggles. An initial loss against England and a narrow win over Malta were followed by a managerial change. Roberto Mancini, who led Italy to Euro 2020 victory, resigned after five years at the helm. Luciano Spalletti stepped in, inheriting a team in need of reinvigoration.
Spalletti’s first match was ironically against North Macedonia again, ending in a 1-1 draw, highlighting the lingering issues. With only one win in their first three matches, Italy’s path to Euro 2024 seemed precarious, and their potential Italy national football team UEFA Euro standings looked uncertain. However, a subsequent run of three wins in four games put them in a position to qualify directly. The final group match against Ukraine was a tense affair where a goalless draw was enough to secure qualification, thanks to a superior head-to-head record, but it was a narrow escape rather than a dominant progression.
Off-field Turmoil: Betting Scandal
Adding to the on-field anxieties, a betting scandal further disrupted Italy’s preparations. Police investigations into illegal betting activities reached the national team’s training camp at Coverciano. Sandro Tonali and Nicolo Zaniolo were questioned, leading to their withdrawal from the squad. Tonali subsequently received a 10-month ban from the Italian Football Federation. Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli also faced a seven-month ban but was surprisingly included in the final Euro 2024 squad. This scandal created unwanted distractions and further complicated Spalletti’s planning, impacting team morale and focus as they aimed for strong Italy national football team UEFA Euro standings.
Attacking Concerns: Lack of Firepower
The inclusion of Fagioli, despite his ban, underscores the limited attacking options available to Spalletti. Injuries to key players like Zaniolo and Domenico Berardi, coupled with the fading influence of Marco Verratti and Lorenzo Insigne, who are no longer based in European club football, have depleted Italy’s attacking resources. Federico Chiesa, once a rising star, has struggled with injuries and hasn’t consistently rediscovered his Euro 2020 form.
Gianluca Scamacca, coming off a strong season with Atalanta, where he scored 19 Europa League goals, is expected to lead the attack. However, his international record is less impressive, with only one goal in 15 appearances for Italy. Giacomo Raspadori provides another option, but his goalscoring record over the past two seasons is modest. This lack of prolific forwards raises questions about Italy’s ability to consistently find the net against strong opposition, which is crucial for improving their Italy national football team UEFA Euro standings.
Defensive Fortress: Strengths at the Back
In light of their attacking uncertainties, Italy’s strength lies in their defense. Spalletti’s preliminary squad boasted 11 defenders, highlighting the emphasis on solidity at the back. The core of this defense is likely to be drawn from Inter Milan, Serie A’s best defense last season. Inter conceded a league-low 22 goals, employing a three-man backline. This defensive system is likely to be replicated by Spalletti for the national team, leveraging the familiarity and cohesion of players like Alessandro Bastoni, Alessandro Buongiorno (likely replacing the injured Francesco Acerbi), Federico Dimarco, and Matteo Darmian.
Spalletti experimented with a three-man defense in friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador in March 2024, securing victories in both matches. While a small sample size, it indicates a tactical shift towards a more defensive approach. A strong defense will be paramount if Italy hopes to progress deep into Euro 2024 and achieve a respectable Italy national football team UEFA Euro standings.
Group Stage Challenge and Expectations
Italy faces a challenging Group B, alongside Spain, Croatia, and Albania. Navigating this group will be a significant test of their credentials. Even reaching the quarter-finals would be considered a positive outcome given the circumstances and the strength of their group opponents. To surpass expectations and contend for the title, Italy will need their defense to be exceptionally resilient and find solutions to their attacking limitations.
Spalletti himself acknowledged that other nations might be considered stronger contenders but expressed confidence in his team’s ability to compete. His stated goal is for the team to return from Germany having earned the pride of the Italian people. If Italy were to defy expectations and win Euro 2024 again, they would join Germany and Spain as the most successful nations in the tournament’s history, each with three titles. For now, the focus is on securing favorable Italy national football team UEFA Euro standings and progressing through each stage of the competition.
⚽ Italy’s Final Squad for Euro 2024 ⚽
Captain: Gianluigi Donnarumma
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris St Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham Hotspur)
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma)
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Nicolo Fagioli (Juventus), Michael Folorunsho (Hellas Verona), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Jorginho (Arsenal), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma)
Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio)
Stay updated with Italy’s progress and their Italy national football team UEFA Euro standings throughout Euro 2024 on dedicated sports news websites.
