State of Play: What to expect from Italy's Euro 2024 campaign

Fans are keen to see if this surprise package Italian side will be able to snag victory this time around. In this context, let's explore the current state of play regarding Italy's Euro 2024 campaign.

Firstly, there is an air of excitement surrounding Italy as they make their grand return. Despite their recent extended absence, they are hailed for their show-stopping history and plethora of achievements. Many are hopeful about their performance, taking part in Euro 2024 betting because they think that Italy might go all the way.

Italy's reign as European Cup champions has been marked by disappointment, starting with their failure to qualify for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. After a goalless draw with Ukraine, they secured their spot in the 2024 Euro. It has become clear that the four-time World Cup-winning and two-time Euro Cup-winning team is currently struggling to regain their former glory. Italy's football team has struggled in recent years, failing to advance beyond the group stage in both the 2010 and 2014 World Cups and missing out on the 2018 and 2022 tournaments. However, in a surprising turn of events, they managed to win the 2020 Euro Cup, marking a rare highlight in their recent performance.

The Italian national team has also been drawn into a tough group at UEFA Euro 2024, alongside Spain, Croatia, and Albania, earning the label of the "group of death". This outcome was largely anticipated, as the draw pots were filled based on team points and positions during the qualifying stage, with Italy ranking 18th and Portugal ranking 1st, making it a challenging path to success for the Italian team.

Of course, despite starting Euro 2024 as defending champions, Italy will be acutely aware of their issues in qualifying for the tournament after a difficult start for head coach Luciano Spalletti. One prominent recurring problem for the team is injuries as many players aren't up to scratch because of the injuries they have been fraught with. The team's morale has been lifted by their strong initial performance. As of March 24, 2024, Italy's record in UEFA Euro 2024 is five wins, one loss, and one draw. But lingering doubts persist about the team's defensive solidity and midfield depth.

Furthermore, in terms of notable players that could be an asset for Italy, Gigi Donnarumma remains to be a beacon of hope for Italy. Although he has been challenged at Paris Saint-Germain at just 25 years of age, he seems to be backed by the public as Italy's number one. He displayed a show-stopping performance during their Euro 2020 success, leading the way for him becoming the first goalkeeper to win the Player of the Tournament award. This time, it is hoped that he will be just as motivated to bring the team to victory.

Italy's most-capped player, Gianluigi Buffon, remains optimistic about his team's chances despite a challenging draw. He emphasises the importance of confidence going into the tournament, acknowledging that the group could have been easier but insisting that staying confident is crucial for success.

In addition, Luciano Spalletti has reiterated his determination to lead Italy to success at the upcoming European Championship. The 64-year-old coach, who took over the national team after Roberto Mancini's departure, has generated excitement among Azzurri fans with his appointment, following his Scudetto win with Napoli. In his own words, “We earned qualification, and we deserved it. We were consistent in our choices and in playing proactive football, without ever abandoning that. But we have to be better at maintaining for the entire duration of the matches, we haven't succeeded with that yet.”

Moreover, Spalletti is in a race against time to find a goal scorer going into Euro 2024. Immobile and Belotti are gradually being replaced, while promising newcomers Scamacca and Moise Kean have struggled to deliver consistent performances, leaving questions about their ability to fill the void. There have also been many difficulties for Italy. They faced a multitude of challenges, and struggled to overcome each obstacle. For example, on the pitch, they encountered formidable opponents like England and Ukraine, while off the pitch, we they to navigate three retreats, where they attempted to extract players from their camp.

In conclusion, given the state of play in relation to Italy's Euro 2024 campaign, it will be interesting to see if Italy can beat the odds and go on to win. With their strong team and notable players, there could be a chance for them to come out on top. We will have to wait and see if their injuries and challenges get the better of them as they head towards the upcoming tournament.