Certainly, not everyone likes that kind of treatment. For some, it’s disrespectful, for some, it adds pressure, but for the Italians… Let’s just say there is no better motivation. Three years ago, nobody believed either and yet, the Azzurri managed to climb to the top of Europe. And with 100% record in the group stage and then through the hell of knockout phase over Austria, Belgium, Spain and finally England at its beloved Wembley. That was the old story that Italy is the best when no one counts on it. However, the other, gloomier part of the same tale was confirmed very soon, and the national team failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup when everyone expected it.Today’s Azzurri are much different from the ones three years ago. Lucaino Spalletti sat on the bench instead of Roberto Mancini and changed the team altogether. Legendary defenders Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci are retired, Marco Verratti, Ciro Immobile, and Lorenzo Insigne are not there either, and some players were crossed out due to injuries. Spalletti implemented the formation with three defenders, and some new leaders stepped up.For the Germans, age is just a numberThe core of the team, with Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, and Chiesa, is still present, but again, a lot has changed since Mancini’s time. Italy’s defence should once again be its primary strength. Before, it used to be mostly Juventus’ defence, and now it will be Inter Milan’s since the Nerazzurri’s Alessandro Bastoni, Matteo Darmian and Federico Dimarco will certainly make up the back line. Moreover, the entire defense could have consisted of Inter’s players, but Francesco Acerbi’s injury had disrupted the plan. Atalanta’s centre-back, Giorgio Scalvini also misses the tournament due to ACL injury. The midfield will mainly depend on Barella and Jorginho, whereas the offensive line will give Spalletti the most headaches. Namely, Federico Chiesa has a lousy season behind him, while Roma’s Lorenzo Pellegrini still doesn’t seem the ideal solution despite a solid spell with the Giallorossi. The biggest problem Italy faces is that there is no forward who can guarantee goals. Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca is the closest to the starting line-up and his only alternative is Genoa’s Mateo Retegui. Not so promising…Chapter 4: Old acquaintances meet again in the same placeHowever, if the Azzurri manage to advance past the tournament’s toughest group, everybody will want to avoid them in the knockout phase. The opening game against the group’s underdog, Albania, could be positive for Italy. Namely, Albania participated at EURO only once in its history, in 2016 and won 3 points thanks to a triumph over Romania. Nobody gives a chance to the Red and Blacks tonight, and that stance is somewhat justified. The only mitigating circumstance for Albania could be their knowledge of the Serie A and the Italian players. Namely, ten players from their squad either play or have played in Italy in the past. Apart from that, both the manager Sylvinho and his assistant Pablo Zabaleta were great players and now have the essential experience.Finally, regardless of tonight’s game result, Italy’s critical clashes will be the ones with the main competition for group advancement—Spain and Croatia, who play their game three hours earlier. For that reason, the victory tonight might be crucial for the Azzurri’s ambitions, given that the initial three points could give them a head start and put pressure on the rivals.EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP – GROUP STAGEFridayGermany – Scotland 5-1 (3-0)/Wirtz 10, Musiala 19, Havertz 45+1 pen, Fullkrug 68, Can 90+3 – Rudiger 87 og/Saturday16.00: (3.20) Hungary (3.30) Switzerland (2.30)19.00: (1.90) Spain (3.50) Croatia (4.20)22.00: (1.42) Italy (4.30) Albania (8.50)Sunday 16.00: (5.70) Poland (3.80) Netherlands (1.63)19.00: (5.00) Slovenia (3.50) Denmark (1.75)22.00: (7.50) Serbia (4.40) England (1.50)***odds are subject to change***
