Italy Seal Qualification To Euro 2024 To Defend Title

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Italy have booked their spot for the 2024 Euro that will be held in Germany from June to July 2024.

The Azzurri had to fight hard to make it to the tournament, as they finished 2nd in Group C with 14 points.

The team tutored by Luciano Spalleti drew 0-0 with Ukraine to confirm their place in the tournament, and they will be amongst the nations battling to win the crown in 2024.

Italy have won the European Championships on 2 occasions previously, winning it in 2020, and 1968.

Italy in Euro 2024
Italy qualify for the European Championships following draw to Ukraine

Luciano Spalletti will be hoping to lead an Italian squad that has experienced a decline after winning the 2020 Euro.

Italy shocked the world at Euro 2020

Roberto Mancini guided Italy to continental glory in 2020, defeating England 3-2 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in regulation time.

They have a plethora of exciting names across board, but they will have to conjure something out of the ordinary to defend their crown in Germany.

The Azzurri are 9th on the FIFA rankings and they missed out on the 2022 FIFA World Cup, after shockingly losing 1-0 to North Macedonia in the playoffs.

However, they have picked themselves up in style and are aiming to gather the pieces to return to where they once belonged.

The Italians are the second most successful nation in terms of the FIFA World Cup title, but they have missed out on back-to-back World Cup outings in recent decades – 2018 and 2022.

Luciano Spalleti on Italy qualifying for Euro 2024

Luciano Spalletti also shared his thoughts on the performances of his side in their final game that ensured qualification for the 2024 European Championships.

Luciano Spalleti said: “It wasn’t easy and nothing can be taken for granted in football in general. Today, we played a good match because in the first half, we had many opportunities to secure the result.

“Then when you didn’t manage to do so, the match became dirtier and more physical. 

Italy aiming to become the second nation to win the European Championships back-to-back

“They put in more physical players but at that moment we no longer play football. Ukraine showed that they are an equipped team and that they gave us a hard time.”

If Italy does win the 2024 Euro being held in Germany, they will become the second nation to win the European Championships back-to-back.

Spain are the only nation to achieve that feat, winning it in 2008 and 2012, with a golden generation of players that also ruled the world in 2010.

England, who Italy defeated to win the 2020 Euro qualified ahead of the Azzurri, as they finished at the summit of Group C, with a whopping 20 points.

The Three Lions went unbeaten throughout the qualification round, winning 6 games and drawing 2 in 8 matches.

Italy’s 2 group defeats were served to them by Gareth Southgate’s side, losing 1-2 in Naples at the Diego Armando Maradona stadium and 3-1 in Wembley.

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