SUMMARY
- Italy defied all odds and won the UEFA Euro 2020 by defeating England in finals.
- At UEFA Euro 2024, Italy does not seem like a team that can pull off a successful title defense.
Remember the summer of 2021? Italy defeated England at Wembley in the final of UEFA Euro 2020. It was a disastrous scene in the stadium with fans turning on each other. However, Italy’s triumph at Euro 2020 was a moment etched in history.
🇮🇹 Italy’s winning moment 🥇 Roberto Mancini 😄🎉@azzurri | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/jmrRlUAUfr
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) July 12, 2021
The Azzurri, under Mancini’s masterful guidance, defied expectations and emerged as champions. But fast forward to 2024, and the road to reclaiming that title seems a lot rockier. Here’s why Italy might face an uphill battle in their quest to defend their European crown:
Finding the next big scorer
One of Italy’s biggest concerns lies upfront. While Ciro Immobile was a key figure in their Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, his goals have dried up like the hottest of summers. The Lazio forward’s struggles continued into the World Cup qualifiers, leading to his omission from the squad. This leaves a gaping hole in the attack.
Young guns like Giacomo Raspadori and Gianluca Scamacca are promising, but haven’t quite convinced everyone of their goalscoring prowess for their nation. Without a proven goalscorer, Italy might struggle to break down stubborn defenses.
A group of death awaits Italy
Imagine getting thrown into a group with a hungry Spain boasting immense talent that recently won the UEFA Nations League trophy and a battle-hardened Croatia, the FIFA World Cup 2018 runners-up. That’s the dangerous task facing Italy.
Group B: Spain, Croatia, Italy, Albania ✅#EURO2024 pic.twitter.com/LV5IyUPYU1
— UEFA EURO 2024 (@EURO2024) December 2, 2023
Both these teams possess a solid blend of experience and youthful exuberance. Spain, in particular, will pose a significant threat with their passing and possession. Italy’s defense, the savior of their Euro 2020 win, will be put to the ultimate test right from the get-go. A shaky start or a slip-up against either opponent could see them eliminated before the knockout stages even begin.
New coach, new system?
After Mancini helped Italy to their biggest triumph in recent times, he faltered horrendously by failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. He stepped down and left a void that Luciano Spalletti had been tasked with filling.
Luciano Spalletti is the new head coach of Italy, per @FabrizioRomano 🇮🇹 pic.twitter.com/UwbTxXY6A5
— B/R Football (@brfootball) August 18, 2023
Spalletti, a proven tactician who has enjoyed success with clubs like Napoli and Inter Milan, brings a wealth of experience to the table. However, transitioning from club management to international management can take time and he has been offered less than a year. Spalletti was announced as the new Italy coach in August 2023, 10 months before Euro 2024 kicked off.
The time available to implement his philosophy and build team cohesion is limited. This lack of an established playing style could prove detrimental in a high-pressure tournament like the Euros.
Veterans are aging and the youngsters are not yet established
The core of Italy’s Euro 2020 winning squad is undeniably aging. Stalwarts like Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci have served the national team for an insane amount of time. While their experience remains invaluable, their ability to maintain their peak physical condition throughout a demanding tournament is a question mark.
The Italian fans didn’t want to stop hugging Chiellini and Bonucci 🤗 pic.twitter.com/JH6mhB6wnE
— B/R Football (@brfootball) July 2, 2021
Also, it is important to note that this tournament is going to be taken over by youngsters. Players like Jude Bellingham, Phil Foden, Florian Wirtz, Lamine Yamal, Jamal Musiala, Kylian Mbappe, Rasmus Hojlund, and many more, will be a tough task to take care of for the Italian veterans.
The younger generation of Italy, though talented, hasn’t quite established itself yet. This lack of a seamless transition between the old guard and the new could expose vulnerabilities.
Italy’s path to defending their Euro 2020 title is undoubtedly filled with challenges. The lack of a prolific goalscorer, a challenging group stage, a new manager at the helm, and an aging squad all cast a shadow of doubt. Pulling off a successful defense from here seems impossible for the Azzurri.