Euro 2024, Spalletti's Italy in the crash test with Albania

How are the Azzurri coming to this first challenge? It is not clear. The tension is quite palpable, and not only because of Barella's uncertainty and the various aches and pains of Fagioli and Frattesi that keep Spalletti on his toes, forcing him to make unforeseen reshuffles. There is also the weight of responsibility, the honour of appearing at these European Championships with the title of champions and the burden (not reassuring) of coming out of a complicated and too hasty qualification. Spalletti knows this: building a national team takes time and patience. Especially when the group is almost totally renewed and there is no consolidated block, apart from the minimal one of Inter, to make things easier for him.

One cannot fail to notice, coming out of the enthusiastic European athletics, how different the atmosphere is in Germany among the Azzurri. Tense faces, few smiles, almost militaristic rules in the retreat, where delays and distractions are not tolerated, with precise restrictions on the use of mobile phones and even jokes. But what a difference with the atmosphere of freedom and enthusiasm seen in Rome at the Olimpico! It would be good if this gust of cheerfulness also infected the national football team. Sad faces have never won anything. If Spalletti could also manage to convey this enthusiasm, he would have achieved another important goal. 

The first must be good. Otherwise, if we fail with Albania, things get complicated. The other two matches, with Spain and Croatia, are no picnic on the grass. Luis de la Fuente's Spain is an opponent of great stature, among the biggest favourites for the tournament with France, England, Portugal and Germany, which is also hosting the European Championships;

With the Spaniards you don't mess around. If you let them have the ball, they never give it back to you. It's true that we eliminated them in the semifinals (on penalties) in 2021, but they have a technical and tactical depth that can overcome anyone. The last friendlies towards the European Championships, unlike the dull ones sustained by Italy, saw them sweep through with enviable ease. Despite having left at home a few 'kids' from a seemingly endless breeding ground, the Spaniards can count on old and new champions who are very much in their element. The midfielder Rodri, the very young talent Yamal, Alvaro Morata himself, a well-known bomber in Italy;

Without wrapping our heads around it, Croatia is also a bad customer. Although they have never gone beyond the quarters in the Europeans, in the last World Cup they reached the final with France and the semi-finals with Argentina. Some people describe the Croatians as 'old warriors', but it is a definition that fits Modric, 38, an outstanding star player who will be used intermittently. But on the others, age counts for less. Gvardiol, a strong Manchester City defender, is only 22. Kovacic, in direction, is 30. Brozovic, former Inter, is 31, not the age of Methuselah. To be met preferably in a calm mood, not with the possible obligation to win at all costs.

There is another curiosity concerning Italy. If we don't shine on the pitch at the moment, we are, however, highly regarded as coaches. Our school is very strong. Apart from the recent exploits of Ancelotti and Gasperini, we have five coaches at the European Championships: Spalletti (Italy), Montella (Turkey), Calzona (Slovakia), Rossi (Hungary) and Tedesco (Belgium). Something must mean something. We are good teachers, flexible and inclined to emigrate.  

It will be a special tournament, it must be emphasised. It comes after a pandemic and in the midst of a devastating war, exasperated nationalisms and the upheaval of the last European elections, with effects still being felt;

Among the 24 participants, let us remember that there is also Ukraine, with real bombs coming at home. A good reason to moderate our language, avoiding the usual clichés taken from the war vocabulary that are never lacking in football.  

This tournament, we hope, should bring a beneficial break from the heavy weather that has been hanging over us for some time. Germany itself, despite not having the granite team of the past, has invested a lot in this appointment. Like Italy, the Germans are not at their best,  After the scorching elimination in the first phase at the World Cup in Qatar, Germany started again with ups and downs. And with several criticisms that affected the new coach Julian Nagelsmann, then back in vogue  after the convincing victories against Holland and France. For the Germans, as for Italy, the first real goal will be to get through the group. Then we will see as we go along. 

The hosts, however, have won the European Championship three times like Spain. There must be a reason for that.  Plus they have brought two finalists to the Champions League and Europa League.  And they have young starters like Wirtz and Musiala ready to take their national team back to the top.

Everyone, then, has their own reason for taking home the trophy. France itself, with that Mbappé who wants to overshadow the myth of Ronaldo (14 goals in 25 appearances), has not won in Europe since 2000. In 2016 it came second behind Portugal, but now Deschamps wants to hit the jackpot like at the 2018 World Cup, not least to make people forget the defeat in the final against Argentina in Qatar in 2022.

England themselves, in white since the 1966 World Cup, have been dying to lift to the skies a trophy that has eluded them time and time again. The last time it was snatched away by the Azzurri in the final at Wembley. So, with Foden, young Saka, Bellingham and Harry Cane pawing the ground, there is little to be comfortable about;

However, Arrigo Sacchi, a man who knows, says that the real surprise could be Portugal, who are also very strong defensively;

As always, predictions are made to be wrong. The final in Berlin (14 July) is a month away. Anything can certainly happen. The wish? That above all we have fun.