Gravina: ‘Italy must defend European title’

FIGC President Gabriele Gravina is ‘relatively satisfied’ with the EURO 2024 draw that picked Spain, Croatia and Albania. ‘Italy must try to defend the title in a group that is complicated, but not impossible.’

Despite being the reigning Champions of Europe, they were given absolutely no boost in qualifying for the next tournament in Germany, nor any advantage from the overall ranking, as the draw was made based only on the results in the qualifying group phase.

That means Italy were placed in Pot 4 and picked a very tough group with Spain, Croatia and Albania.

“I think I can say that I am relatively satisfied,” Gravina told RAI Sport.

“As with all draws, we hoped for a simpler situation, but it also could’ve gone worse.”

The Nazionale open their tournament in Dortmund against Albania on June 15, then face Spain in Gelsenkirchen on June 20 before the showdown with Croatia in Leipzig on June 24.

“We are convinced that we can do well and Luciano Spalletti is confident we can recapture the extraordinary push from the fans, who expect an important message from the team.

“We need the same sentiment that pushed the Azzurri to win EURO 2020, with the effort, enthusiasm and intuition of Spalletti, I am sure that together we can have another great result.”

Gravina was asked if there was a minimum target to set in Germany for Spalletti, who only took the job in September after Roberto Mancini suddenly handed in his resignation.

“There cannot be a minimum target. Italy must try to defend the title in a group that is complicated, but not impossible. The first match is always the toughest, we need determination.”