Spain coach Luis de la Fuente called their EURO 2024 showdown with Italy, Croatia and Albania the ‘group of death’ and admits ‘nobody wanted’ the Azzurri as opponents.
Even though they are the reigning Champions of Europe, the Nazionale were still placed in Pot 4 for today’s draw in Hamburg.
“It is a tough draw. Italy and Croatia won’t be happy to have been placed in a group with Spain either and it is certainly the toughest group in the tournament, the group of death,” de la Fuente told Diario AS.
“This group will call for us to give our best, but Spain feel strong and I am sure our rivals are not pleased either.”
The Azzurri were the danger lurking in the draw, as because only the results in qualifying were taken into account and not general ranking, they were in the same Pot as the teams coming through the play-offs.
“Nobody wanted to get Italy as they are a great team who really compete in tournaments. Croatia have been getting great results over the years with some excellent players. As for Albania, they finished first in their qualifying group.”
Italy open their EURO 2024 campaign against Albania on June 15, then face Spain on June 20 and Croatia on June 25.
“We need to start strong, as the first two games against Croatia and Italy, but my experience tells me that those who won a great deal enter these tournaments with the best concentration.”
There was a blow for Spain’s chances of glory when Barcelona starlet Gavi sustained a serious knee ligament injury that will rule him out for many months.
“I hope there won’t be more problems before the Euros, even if with seven months to go, anything is possible. We have a large group of players to choose from 35 or 40, all of them are very good.”