With Euro 2024 underway, the spotlight will be on the defending champions, Italy, who will walk into the tournament with a point to prove. Not qualifying for the World Cup would have certainly stung the Azzurri, and with a new-look squad, there’s a lot to look forward to with Luciano Spalletti at the helm.
But before we get into the current Italian squad, let us return to where it all went wrong. On July 12, 2021, the Italian national side, missing out on the 2018 FIFA World Cup, ended a 15-year gave the Azzurri faithful a moment to savour as they were crowned 2021 Euros Champions. But their problems were only just getting started.
The reigning European Champions were shockingly brought down by an inferior North Macedonia 0-1 in the World Cup Qualifier semi-finals, thus missing out on their second consecutive FIFA World Cup, a new low for Italian football. To add insult to injury, Italy were further humiliated by the 2021 Copa America Champions, Argentina 0-3 in the CONMEBOL–UEFA Cup of Champions, a.k.a the Finalissima. After Italy settled for a third-place finish in the UEFA Nations League, the manager at the time, Roberto Mancini, announced his resignation, ending his five-year stint with the national side on a sour note.
It was evident that the national team needed a rebuild, not just in terms of talent but also in terms of ideologies, and the Italian F.A. could not have picked a better man to lead the side than Luciano Spalletti. He came into the side having won the Scudetto with Napoli, ending their 33-year-long wait. But he will have his hands complete with this Italian side that needs a rebuild.
One of the pressing issues with Italy was the need for more young talents to be brought onto the big stage. This issue was highlighted by the popular presenter Adriano del Monte, who has seen the rise and fall of Serie A, his national side, and more up close and personal.
He compared the issue with that of the other major sporting nations, such as England, Germany, Spain, etc. But he also pointed out that it is not an issue of producing talent but rather developing the youngster’s exposure, particularly on the big stage.
“Italy has had the problem of not developing talent. We have talent all over, every level. Italy just won the U17 Euros and the U20 World Cup last year. There’s no problem with talent; our problem in Italy is integrating talent into senior-level, Serie A, and top-flight football. We lack trust and belief in the young players, which stagnates their growth. I say this team is young, but only one player is under 22”.
With Riccardo Calafiori and Davide Frattesi, among others, being introduced to the squad, Spalletti hopes to find the next crop of players to take Italy forward and take them to the World Cup. But first, they will be eyeing making impactful performances at Euro 2024 and have their next big test as they take on Spain in their next game.
“Look, we strongly believe that Spalletti is the best coach in Italy in this tournament. But you are exactly right; it is a different game. International football is a different game. Didier Deschamps didn’t have the best club coaching career. He’s found his perfect fit with this national team; he’s doing great things with France. So, with Spalletti comes the pressure of continuing what he could do at club level, especially with Napoli winning the Scudetto. He must implement his philosophies and approach to football on this national team. However, there is also the understanding that this is different. And it has been from the media and the fans that he will take time,” said Adriano.
Reflecting on the Italian squad, there are a lot of young names, but one thing that remains is their need for more attacking depth. Italy has not historically had that attacking flair, even more so in recent years. But now they might be looking at Federico Chiesa and Gianluca Scamacca to lead the lines for quite some time. Chiesa was already part of the Italian squad in the previous edition of the Euros and scored some crucial goals off the bench. But now he will be expected to take responsibility for Italy’s attack and form a lethal partnership with Gianluca Scamacca, who is touted to be Italy’s #9 for this generation.
Adriano has backed the #9 to come good for Italy and sees him as a player for the side to build their attack around. He said, “Look, I think Scamacca, even before he went on this hot run of form in recent months, I felt he was a player who had to be in the squad purely because he offers something that none of those other players offers. And that’s purely down to his physical size, presence, and attributes. So, I strongly believe now, off the back of his good form, he will be the player to build that attack around because he’s not only offering something that the others don’t, but he’s in great form. And the quality of his goals recently has been remarkable. So, I think he’s going to be key. Touch wood, no injuries, no nothing”.
Chiesa, on the other hand, has not had the best of times this season with his club, Juventus. Having suffered an ACL injury after the previous Euros, he has struggled to regain his best form, which put him on the map. But Adriano has suggested that the system he plays for Massimiliano Allegri at Juve could be the cause here and not his fitness, as his form could be the key behind Italy’s fortunes ahead.
“It’s just that he’s been playing in a system and under a manager that has not allowed him to prosper in recent seasons; I spoke with Chiesa in November last year. And the freedom and the peace he was with playing for Italy and seeing coming off club how frustrating it was, he goes to another level in Italy’s shirt. He spoke to me so passionately about what it meant for him to wear this shirt. And yes, those wonderful memories from the Euros three years ago, but playing for your country differs from playing for clubs”.
With a win in their opening fixture against Albania, Italy will face its next big test as it takes on Spain, which boasts some of the finest talents in world football. Spalletti’s tactical awareness will be put to the test against Luis de la Fuente’s side, which might put the Matadors back on top.
You can watch Euro 2024 LIVE coverage on Sony Sports Network and live streaming on the Sony LIV app in India.
Stay updated with the latest from Euro 2024. Explore Euro 2024 Match Today. Check Updated list of Highest Goal-Scorer in Euro 2024. CheckEuro 2024 Points Table and Euro 2024 Match Results and Euro 2024 Match Schedule .
Comments
0 comment