Italy will face Spain, Croatia, and Albania in the 2024 Euro Group B and the odds from leading sportsbooks put the Azzurri way out of the favourites spot, but we all know what the La Nazionale are capable of with their backs to the wall.
The dates of fixtures have also been set and will see the Azzurri kick off their Euro ride on June 15 against Albania before taking on Spain on June 20 and Croatia on June 24.
Across the last four years, Italian football has been on a decidedly wild ride, but Euro 2024 excitement is already running through the country. The Azzurri went from Euro 2020 glory to World Cup misery in barely nine months, failing to reach qualification for the World’s most important competition twice in a row. At the same time, three Serie A clubs reached the European finals last season, but Inter, Roma and Fiorentina all lost, keeping Italy waiting for the first major European trophy since 2010.
So, what should we expect from Spalletti’s men in Germany this summer? That depends on your outlook. Some analysts have noted that Italy will likely struggle against Spain given its incredible pedigree—and against Croatia, a team that looked highly competitive in both the 2020 Euro and 2022 World Cup. Others think the team’s failure to qualify for the World Cup has lit a fire for the Italian side—one that could potentially make them a highly competitive dark horse.
Sportsbooks Weigh In
At the moment, sportsbooks are favouring France and England to slug it out in a championship battle. The odds are slightly in England’s favour, just like they were during the Euro 2020 competition. Italy, by contrast, is listed in the middle of the pack alongside the Netherlands.
Let’s take a look back at the Euro qualifiers. Italy was in Group C alongside England, Ukraine, North Macedonia, and Malta. The Three Lions had clearly taken the last Euro results personally and logged four wins and two draws (including a win against Italy). By contrast, the Italian side ended with four wins, two draws, and two defeats to England.
The results weren’t a huge shocker, but the goal differentials signify a problem for Italy. Italy came away with a seven-goal differential compared to England’s eighteen. Both at home and away, Italy failed to take down the Three Lions. However, some have pointed out that the Azzurri have had two coaches since qualifying began. Going forward, they’ll at least be aligned under Spalletti.
A Potential’ Group of Death’ in Group B
Here’s the thing about Italy’s underdog status heading into the 2024 Euro: they weren’t favourites during the 2021 competition, either. At the time, England were also co-favorites with France to sweep the tournament. This time around, however, the Italian team finds itself in a potential’ group of death’.
That’s nothing new, either. Back in 2012, Italy entered the Euro alongside Spain, Croatia, and Ireland. Despite lacklustre odds from sportsbooks, the team scraped by and advanced out of the group stages—before going on to face Spain in the Finals. To say that the Azzurri are able to topple the odds might be an understatement.
A Worst-Case Scenario
Even if Italy isn’t able to take down Spain or Croatia in Group B, the magic of the Euro is that it allows three of the four third-ranked group-stage teams to advance. Losing out to Spain and Croatia wouldn’t necessarily mean the end for the Italian side.
Once again, it’s worth pointing out that the team looks unified and strong under Spalletti. The team also has a few more months to improve before the competition kicks off. The goal until then is to create a single unit from the available players that can use teamwork to its full advantage.
On top of that, a little confidence never hurt anyone. Spalletti hasn’t wavered in his belief that his side could take another Euro win. As he put it, ‘Never forget that we are Italy.’ Could this be the third time the Azzurri take home a Euro win?