Italy at Euro 2024 Betting Tips & Odds: Gli Azzurri Title Defense Ambition Begins

Italy will look to join Spain as the second side that win consecutive Euros following their 2020 title. In the 2020 edition, Italy were crowned champions, thanks to a penalty shootout miss by Bukayo Saka, making sure that Italy clinched their first-ever Euro title since 1968. Italy, coming off a strong form of unbeaten matches, have 15 odds on 1xbet as their title chances. Do you think the Azzurri will defend their title?

Luciano Spalletti Winning Mentality

Following his best season as a coach, the former Napoli coach took on Italy's job on 1 September 2023 and has then had one of the nation's best performances. Following a 1-1 draw against North Macedonia in their first-ever Luciano Spalletti Italy era, Italy went to play seven matches, recording five wins, one defeat and one draw. 

Italy does not have one of the best squads in this Euro, but the most important thing for this side will be Luciano Spalletti's winning mentality. Over the years, Luciano Spalletti has won three league titles, including the Serie A and Russian Premier League and titles like Coppa Italia and Russian Cup. Also, Luciano Spalletti won the coach of the season in 2006, 2007, and 2023 in the Serie A. While Spalletti's last job with Napoli saw him lead his side to its first title in 33 years, we can trust him to inject his champion mentality into the Italy squad.  

Tough Test for Italy in Group B

The Euro 2024 have Italy in Group B, pitting them against Croatia, Spain and Albania. In this group, Italy won’t have an easy job, considering how strong their opponents will be. Spain have one of the best sides in this Euro tournament with the likes of Lamine Yamal, Rodri, Nico Willaims and top players who have shown their quality for the respective teams. On the other hand, Croatia have reached the semifinals of the Nations League final of the World Cup in recent years, also, showing how tough this team could be for Italy. With Albania being the only side that Italy could easily beat, this team will need extraordinary performance to make it out of Group B. 

Italy Preliminary Squad List

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham), Alex Meret (Napoli), Ivan Provedel (Lazio).

Defenders: Francesco Acerbi (Inter Milan), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter Milan), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter Milan), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Giorgio Scalvini (Atalanta).

Midfielders: Jorginho (Arsenal), Nicolo Barella (Inter Milan), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Nicolo Fagioli (Juventus), Michael Folorunsho (Verona), Davide Frattesi (Inter Milan), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Samuele Ricci (Torino).

Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio), Riccardo Orsolini (Bologna), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta)

Expert Betting Tips

Despite their flaws and low expectations from the Italian side, there is still a lot to take here. With players like Federico Chiesa being the best shot in attack for the Azzurri, I expect the Juventus players to be able to lead the attack for Italy here, considering his goal-scoring ability and hunger for goals. 

Also, while I believe that Luciano Spalletti will get things right with his team selection, Italy are pegged to be able to make it out of the group stage. However, I do not trust this team to make it out of the group seated in the top spot, considering Spain's robust talents. Hence, with the competition expected to be against Croatia, Italy should be able to finish in second place. 

• Italy to Finish Second Spot - Yes (2.55) 1xbet
• Group Forecast - 1st Spain, 2nd Italy - (3.40) Bet365
• Italy Top Scorer - Federico Chiesa (4.35) Betway