Italy enter Euro 2024 as the hunted because they’re the defending champions, and they’re one of the favourites to win it all after making drastic changes to their coaching staff and roster.
However, their road to glory anew is going to be difficult because of the stiff competition they’ll be facing, starting from the group stage, where they’ll face two teams that are in the Top 10 of FIFA’s men’s rankings.
Elsewhere, Belgium and England were two of the biggest winners of the draw because of the groups they’re bunched in, but both nations have had their share of failures in big tournaments, so they cannot afford to be complacent.
With the biggest European football showcase only a few weeks away, continue reading below as we review the playing field.
Italy in the so-called “Group of Death”
As mentioned, Luciano Spalletti’s first foray in the Euros is going to be challenging because they’re in the tournament’s Group of Death, with Spain, Croatia, and Albania all in their way in Group B.
Spain and Croatia competed in the UEFA Nations League final last June, which the former won in the penalty shootout. Meanwhile, Albania are one of the surprise entrants in the tournament, as they directly qualified by topping Group E during the qualifiers.
Italy will deploy a much different group here in the upcoming Euros with Spalletti at the helm. During their recent outings, the former Napoli head coach has emphasised youth movement, which may help them in the long run, regardless of what happens in Germany.
Leonardo Bonucci, Giorgio Chiellini, Lorenzo Insigne, Ciro Immobile, Francesco Acerbi, and Marco Verratti are no longer selected to lead the Azzurri, paving the way for the likes of Federico Chiesa, Giorgio Scalvini, Davide Frattesi, Mateo Retegui, Andrea Cambiaso, Alessandro Buongiorno, and Alessandro Bastoni to take over, all of whom are 25 or younger.
Meanwhile, Gianluigi Donnarumma, 25, is one of the team’s most experienced members, and he’ll be the first option between the sticks. However, he’ll face internal competition with Tottenham’s Guglielmo Vicario.
According to the Euro 2024 odds, Spain are expected to come out on top of Group B, while the second spot is up for grabs between Italy and Croatia, with Albania lurking.
Belgium and England have a straightforward path
In stark contrast, Belgium and England are going to have an easier time in the group stage. Belgium are in Group E alongside Slovakia, Romania, and Ukraine, while England are in Group C with Denmark, Serbia, and Slovenia.
Belgium should be able to breeze past the group stage because Slovakia and Romania didn’t do too well in the last Euros, while Ukraine had to go through a wringer just to get here.
Domenico Tedesco is now at the helm for the Red Devils, but their core is pretty much the same, with the likes of Romelu Lukaku, Youri Tielemans, Jan Vertonghen, and Kevin De Bruyne leading the way. Some intriguing newcomers include Jeremy Doku, Lois Openda, Orel Mangala, Amadou Onana, and Charles De Ketelaere.
England’s quest for their first major trophy since the 1966 World Cup continues. England’s biggest threats are probably Denmark, but, realistically, Denmark, Serbia, and Slovenia are basically in a three-way race for second place.
Gareth Southgate is still at the helm, with pretty much the same core that consists of the likes of Harry Kane, Declan Rice, Jordan Pickford, John Stones, Phil Foden, Jude Bellingham, and Marcus Rashford.
It remains to be seen whether newcomers James Trafford, Ezri Konsa, James Maddison, Cole Palmer, Ivan Toney, Ollie Watkins, and Kobbie Mainoo will be able to make an impact for the Three Lions in the Euros.
Austria and Scotland could be fun to watch
The two underdogs or dark horses in the upcoming Euros, at least in this SBOTOP writer’s opinion, are Austria and Scotland, given their performances in the qualifiers.
Former Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick has transformed Austria into one of the most dynamic sides in Europe with his famous Gegenpressing. This was evident in their recent friendlies, where they outscored Germany, Slovakia, and Turkey with an aggregate tally of 10-1.
Meanwhile, Scotland are a tough and gritty group led by several Premier League stars in Scott McTominay, Andy Robertson, and John McGinn, all of whom are capable of creating Euro 2024 highlights. With Germany and France expected to be on top of Group A and D, the second spot is up for the taking for Austria and Scotland, although they’ll face significant resistance against Hungary, Switzerland, Poland, and the Netherlands.
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