Italy beat Spain on penalties in the EURO 2020 semi-final and face them again in the group stage of EURO 2024, but the record with Croatia is even more concerning.
The draw was performed in Hamburg for the group phase of the tournament, which will run in Germany from June 14 to July 14, 2024.
The Azzurri are placed in a group with Spain, Croatia and Albania, the kind of tough draw to be expected when in Pot 4.
Italy had defeated Spain on penalties in the EURO 2020 semi-final on their way to lifting the trophy at Wembley Stadium, as the game itself ended 1-1 with goals from Federico Chiesa and Alvaro Morata.
They were in the Nations League semi-finals in both October 2021 and June 2023, both times Spain emerged 2-1 winners.
The last time Spain beat Italy in a major tournament was the EURO 2012 Final, running out 4-0 winners following an earlier 1-1 draw in the group stage.
That was followed by a 2-0 Italy win in the EURO 2016 Round of 16 and that semi-final clash.
Italy have a much more reassuring record against Albania, winning all four meetings including friendlies, scoring seven goals and conceding one.
Their most recent encounter was a friendly in November 2022, the Azzurri winning 3-1.
However, the experience against Croatia is considerably tougher, as Italy have won only one of their nine official meetings.
That was a 4-0 friendly in April 1942, while the last three encounters all ended 1-1 in EURO 2012, then both home and away in the EURO 2016 qualifying group.
Incorrect, Italy beat Spain 2-0 and eliminated them in the round of 16 at Euro 2016 with goals from Chiellini and Pelle.
This has to be the most negative site in the world about the country and league they are supposed to be interested in
“That was followed by a 2-0 Italy win in the EURO 2016 Round of 16 and that semi-final clash.”
Excuse me? What does this even mean?
Counts for nothing, poor article and factually incorrect.
When is any game in a tournament easy?
Croatia will demolish Italy