Italy would have been eliminated from EURO 2024 at the end of the group stages had Lazio’s Mattia Zaccagni not come up with a 98th minute equaliser against Croatia on Monday night.
The point against Croatia has proved to be crucial for the Azzurri, as Luciano Spalletti’s side would have been knocked into third place in Group B had they lost against Croatia.
Why Zaccagni equaliser was crucial for Italy
Had Zaccagni not equalised in the dying seconds of the game, Italy would have finished the group in third on three points with a goal difference of -1.
Goal difference is the determining factor that would have knocked Italy out, as the four best third placed teams to have qualified for the round of 16 include Slovenia, who went through from Group C on three points with a goal difference of zero, while the Netherlands, Slovakia and Georgia went through from Groups D, E and F respectively, all on four points.
Fortunately, Zaccagni’s goal against Croatia with virtually the last kick of the game means that Italy actually finished the group in second on four points with a goal difference of zero.
The Azzurri will go on to play Switzerland at Berlin’s Olympiastadion in the round of 16 and the winner of that game will progress to face the winner of England vs Slovakia in the quarter-final.
At the end of the first half, Italy had had 21 shots on goal after the 2nd goal vs Albania, the Spain game and 45 mins vs Croatia without scoring a goal. You can’t have 21 attempts and not score even one. There needs to be more of a clinical edge as otherwise every game will become difficult. Spain also a case in point as without the OG, they wouldn’t have scored vs Italy. Unless our strikers wake up, the swiss game will be another long night.
Azzurri needed a late goal to qualify. Well, with such performance, don’t expect much if they face stronger teams like Germany or France.
Italy have some of the best defenders around at this tournament. And they’ll need them to be at their best, because at the other end they look toothless.
@Ferban well, good luck with Mancini coz Calafiori is suspended and apparently Spaletti likes own goals so he is choosing the master of them…
I love the way people pile on italy. Do not be suprised if they get to the semifinals. Team in transition. How is England, Portugal France and Netherlands going so far? No doubt there is no comment.