Euro 2024: How Italy will line up against Croatia

Cameron Smith

• Updated: 23 Jun 2024 16:22 BST
• 3 min read

Italy are in a precarious position going into their final group game against Croatia at Euro 2024.

The Azzurri need a draw in Leipzig to book their place in the last-16, while a defeat will likely see them eliminated from the tournament.

Luciano Spalletti's men began the defence of their European Championship title with a good start in Group B.

The Azzurri defeated Albania 2-1 in Dortmund thanks to goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella, despite conceding the fastest goal in Euros history after just 23 seconds.

But in matchday two, Italy lost 1-0 to Spain due to an own goal by Riccardo Calafiori.

Italy remain second in Group B but a defeat to Croatia - who have only one point from two games - will see the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists move above them in the table.

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Of course, the Azzurri are the reigning champions after their final penalty shootout victory over England in the delayed 2020 edition.

Roberto Mancini guided them to success at Wembley during an incredible unbeaten run for the Azzurri, but they failed to qualify for the 2022 World Cup and they are certainly underdogs this time around as their squad is not as strong as previous ones.

As one of Europe’s historical superpowers, Italy still cannot be ruled out and they will need to rely on Luciano Spallettti’s incredibly tactical acumen if they are to defend their crown.

The most recent international men’s tournament held in Germany saw Italy emerge victorious at the 2006 World Cup and they will be hoping for a similar ending this summer.

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Below, FootballTransfers predicts Italy’s starting XI against Spain at Euro 2024.

How will Italy line up against Spain?

Italy are expected to make a number of changes following a dismal 1-0 defeat to Spain in which they deserved to lose by a far larger scoreline.

Luciano Spalletti will stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation.

Gianluigi Donnarumma won the Euro 2020 Player of the Tournament award following his heroics in between the sticks and has been Italy's best player at Euro 2024 so far.

Giovanni Di Lorenzo could be dropped at right back after being torn apart by Nico Williams against Spain. Inter's Matteo Darmian could take his place.

Inter's Federico Dimarco will probably miss out at left back after suffering a calf injury. Bologna revelation Riccardo Calafiori could move over to left back from left centre back, alternatively Darmian could play at left back with Di Lorenzo retaining his right back shirt.

If it is the former, Roma's Gianluca Mancini would come in and partner Inter's Alessandro Bastoni at centre back.

Nicolo Barella is Italy’s star man and he will be key to their success in the middle of the park. He will start again at central midfield. Arsenal star Jorginho risks missing out after a poor performance against Spain, with Bryan Cristante or Nicolo Fagioli pushing for a starting role.

Further ahead, two of Lorenzo Pellegrini, Davide Frattesi and Federico Chiesa could be dropped. Andrea Cambiaso of Juventus could start on the right, while Mattia Zacagni could also get a starting spot.

Gianluca Scamacca's spot in attack is also at risk from Mateo Retegui after a disappointing first two games.

Italy’s starting XI

GK: Gianluigi Donnarumma

RB: Giovanni Di Lorenzo

CB: Alessandro Bastoni

CB: Riccardo Calafiori

LB: Matteo Darmian

CM: Jorginho

CM: Bryan Cristante

AMRC: Andrea Cambiaso

AMC: Nicolo Barella

AMLC: Federico Chiesa

ST: Mateo Retegui

Italy's Euro 2024 squad

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).

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

Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Nicolo Fagioli (Juventus), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Jorginho (Arsenal), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma).

Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Michael Folorunsho (Hellas Verona), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio).