As fans gear up for the highly anticipated UEFA Euro 2024, all eyes are on Group B, this year’s resident Group of Death. The reigning champion Azzuri finds itself alongside record three-time champions Spain, recent World Cup semifinalists Croatia, and rank outsiders Albania. And if you’re an Italy supporter, you have every right to be worried.
Three years ago, the Italians headed into the one-year postponed Euro 2020 tournament as outsiders. However, back then, they had a staunch backline of veterans to rely on in the form of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini. As well as that, they had a striker in the form of his life in Lazio captain Ciro Immobile, while the likes of Federico Chiesa and Marco Verratti looked to have the world at their feet.
Fast forward three years and only Chiesa remains. And his form has fallen off a cliff in the time since, so much so that he is about to be shipped off to Roma from Juventus for a cut price of €30m. Indeed, Luciano Spalletti’s men look like a shadow of the team that won the tournament so impressively in the summer of 2021, and there is a very real possibility that they may not even make it into the last 16 in Germany this time around.
So, with a potentially tricky initial stage ahead of them, what do the Italians need to know about their opponents? Let’s find out.
Spain
As mentioned, Spain is the record three-time European Champion, an honour they share alongside Germany. They romped to back-to-back titles in 2008 and 2012, with the latter of those two being claimed with a 4-0 drubbing of Italy in Kyiv. However, they head to Germany with their golden generation – built around the midfield trio of Xavi, Andres Iniesta, and Sergio Busquets – firmly in the rearview mirror. Indeed, just like the Azzurri, Los Rojas is also a shell of the team that once dominated international football.
While their La Masia trident may well be no more, another Barcelona youngster is the man who pulls the strings. He, of course, is Pedri, who is arguably the most talented young player on the planet. He hasn’t performed at his usual lofty heights throughout the previous campaign, which played a key part in Barcelona losing the La Liga title race to archrivals Real Madrid, as well as being dumped out of the Champions League in the quarterfinals by Paris Saint-Germain.
However, Pedri has ample protection in the form of Manchester City’s serial winner, Rodri. The holding midfielder is the best player on the planet in his position and he has won all there is to win at club level. He will protect his Barcelona midfield partner, while talented young wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams are expected to shine.
Captain Alvaro Morata is charged with the responsibility of finding the back of the net, a task he is inconsistent with at best. If he can bring his best form, then the Spanish could top the group. If not, they could be in for a tough time.
Croatia
Has any team overachieved more than Croatia in recent years? They defeated England en route to the 2018 FIFA World Cup final, before defeating Brazil four years later to secure a spot in their second successive semifinal. This year, their ageing squad is at a crossroads and their golden generation is soon to be no more, with Luka Modric expected to feature in his final tournament at the ripe old age of 39. But the Croats have proven in years gone by that they aren’t a team to write off.
Managed by Zlatko Dalić, they rely heavily on their experienced midfield trio, featuring the aforementioned Modric, starring alongside Mateo Kovacic and Marcelo Brozovic. Add to that the stellar performances of Manchester City man Josko Gvardol, and a solid spine is in place. Dominik Livakovic is a goalkeeper for the big occasion, while strikers Bruno Petkovic and Andrej Kramaric are looking to follow in the footsteps of Mario Mandzukic and provide the goals required to make a deep run once more.
Albania
The team that should be quaking with fear are rank outsiders Albania. The latest soccer odds price them as +75000 outsiders, the joint-longest odds of anybody alongside Georgia. They are priced at +300 just to advance from the group, with Spain priced at -1200, Italy at -700, and the Croatians at -350. However, write off the Balkan nation at your peril.
The Albanians made their first major tournament appearance at Euro 2016 and have since been striving to establish themselves on the European stage. Despite being considered the underdog of the quartet, they have shown a remarkable ability to punch above their weight. In qualifying, they managed to top their group ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland, two teams that will also feature at Euro 2024.
The team’s resilience and determination could make them a tough nut to crack, potentially turning them into the surprise package. They conceded just four goals in qualifying, the joint-third behind Portugal and France, and if their more lofty rivals can’t find an early breakthrough, they will begin to panic, and that will provide Chelsea striker Armando Brohja ample opportunity to do some serious damage.
