UEFA EURO 2024 was one of the most watched competitions in football history. After perfect performance on the pitch, Spain won the title and became the most successful national football team in Europe. The popularity of this competition contributed to the growth of many sectors, including betting platforms. The best casinos offering bonus spins, along with betting platforms, allowed users to get promotions like bet boosters or free bets to increase engagement even more and attract new EURO 2024 enthusiasts.
However, Italy’s EURO performance was not good at all, as the Azzurri looked very different from 2021 when they lifted the trophy under Roberto Mancini. There is much room for improvement for Luciano Spalletti’s boys. Therefore, this article will explain what can be done to help Italy return to the top of European football.
The path from the Beginning to the End
Italy’s journey through the Euro 2024 group stage was eventful and challenging. Placed in Group B, they faced tough competition and had to play against Spain, Croatia, and Albania. They began their campaign with triumph over Albania with a 2-1 victory, which set an ambitious tone for their subsequent matches.
The second game was against Spain, where they faced a 1-0 loss (luckily, the result was not worse, primarily thanks to Donnaruma and his excellent saves). In their last group stage game against Croatia, Italy managed to secure a 1-1 draw, but had to thank Mattia Zaccagni for a late equalizer that sent them to the Round of 16.
However, the end of the journey was near as Italy faced Switzerland in the knock-out round. The Swiss seemed a formidable opponent, mostly because Italy’s players didn’t show much resistance, allowing their opponents to advance to the quarter-finals without too much effort.
Need for Fluid Play
Italy’s matches against Switzerland and Spain revealed significant shortcomings in their style of play. The team struggled to maintain fluidity and cohesion, a stark departure from the attacking football manager Luciano Spalletti is known for. Spalletti’s Napoli was renowned for its dynamic play, characterized by quick passing and effective wing play, yet Italy failed to replicate this approach.
The Italian midfield, comprising talented players like Jorginho, Lorenzo Pellegrini, and Nicolò Barella, was expected to dictate the pace and control the game. However, their performance was disjointed and lacked the necessary creativity and coordination. The absence of a coherent tactical plan was surprising and detrimental to the team’s success.
Italy’s wings and backs, featuring high-quality players such as Federico Chiesa, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Federico Dimarco also failed to make an impact. The lack of harmony between the players resulted in a fragmented and ineffective attacking strategy. Building a more synchronized and fluid style of play is key for Italy to compete at the highest level.
Need for Better Strikers
A considerable amount of pressure was placed on Italy’s strikers, who ultimately failed to deliver. Gianluca Scamacca, Spalletti’s first choice, struggled to meet expectations. As an Atalanta striker with excellent physical attributes, Scamacca was supposed to create space for the wingers and facilitate quick attacks. However, his poor first touch and inability to hold up the ball led to numerous missed opportunities.
Mateo Retegui, Scamacca’s replacement, also failed to impress, while Giacomo Raspadori didn’t do much in the final third aside from pressing Croatian defenders in the final group stage game. The team’s lack of a reliable goal scorer was evident, and this deficiency was one of the main reasons for their early exit.
Italy’s attacking woes highlight the need for a more effective and dynamic forward line. With that, Italy can increase their goal-scoring capabilities and enhance their overall performance in future competitions.