Euro 2024

ITALY boss Luciano Spalletti has been caught up in a massive PLAY STATION row with his players – as they prepare to start their Euros defence.The former Napoli chief, who replaced Roberto Mancini at the Azzurri helm, has been accused of banning his squad from using the consoles.Italy manager Luciano Spalletti has been accused of banning his team from playing video gamesCredit: GettySpalletti has also put a restriction on mobile phonesCredit: GettyHardliner Spalletti has also introduced strict rules on time-keeping and implemented a post-dinner block on stars using their mobile phones.But the old-fashioned approach has caused anger and frustration among the players, and saw Spalletti on the back foot as he was grilled ahead of tomorrow’s opening clash with Albania in Dortmund.Spalletti, visibly furious, shot back: “Sometimes I’m very sad and disappointed to have to comment on things like this – and I can’t understand why I have to comment.“We have a games room where there are two modern cutting edge Play Stations. I’ve even had a go on it myself.Read More on Euro 2024“But they do so within the scope of the right time of day. What matters is that they sleep at night.“I’m not bothered about what they do but I don’t want them up all hours so they are not properly rested and unable to train properly.“We are here to play important games and if you want to do that you simply can’t be awake in your rooms until 3 or 4am.“That’s not acceptable. You need to sleep at night – and all the studies by professors and psychoanalysts have proved that.Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSItaly Euro 2024 guideTHEY are reigning champs and have a habit of defying the odds – yet little is expected of this Azzurri side.
At least they qualified, given a nasty recent habit of missing major tournaments.
MANAGER: Luciano Spalletti
The 65-year-old who, in 2023, led Napoli to their first Serie A title in 33 years will not stand for any nonsense.
STAR MAN: Gianluigi Donnarumma
The PSG goalkeeper is Italy’s only genuine goalkeeping superstar, as England know to their cost after losing the Euro 2020 final on penalties.
How Italy attack
Spalletti’s Italy will be dogged from a defensive perspective but also flexible and fun to watch in possession.
They can be patient and composed on the ball but also attack in a much more direct way when the opportunity comes.
How Italy defend
Italy no longer play the deep, defensive football they were known for in the past.
They will look to press high out of possession, led by their two wide forwards – likely Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini.
Read the full Italy Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags

“So we need to impart on the player the need for a correct lifestyle to produce our best football. And that means you cannot be up all night on the Play Station.”Spalletti’s tetchiness summed up the feeling that Italy have arrived in Germany as holders without much honour and European Champs who turned back into World Cup chumps.How to do Germany on a budget for Euro 2024Three years after their shoot-out triumph under the Wembley Arch, the night of mayhem and misery for England and delirious joy for Roberto Mancini, a very different-looking Italian team, still scarred by the failure to reach Qatar 2022,  kick off fearing the worst.That old dependable back line led by Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci is long gone, while West Ham flop Gianluca Scamacca is the unlikely but unquestioned first choice striker.Yet the expectations of the supporters in Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin will be no less demanding, even though Spalletti’s side, well beaten home and away by England in qualifying, only scraped through when Ukraine were denied a nailed-on spot kick in stoppage time of their decisive final group game.Former Azzurri coach Arrigo Sacchi claimed an Italy victory would be “almost a miracle considering our strengths on the pitch and those of our opponents”, suggesting France, England, Germany and Portugal are all stronger.He added: “Luciano can convey innovative ideas and give the team a game-plan but we must not burden them with too much responsibility.“And we must avoid useless and harmful criticisms which will do nothing but create a strong instability in the whole environment.”Hardly a ringing endorsement and skipper Gianluigi Donnarumma, one of just five likely surviving starters from the team that began at Wembley three years ago, spoke of Albania as a “banana skin”.He said: “We cannot afford to be at 70 or 80 per cent. We have to be 100 per cent. This match will be hugely important for us.“The team has changed since 2021 but when you prepare to embark on something like this we have to be motivated and our spirit will be the same as three years ago. We will try to reproduce those magical nights.”For Spalletti, this is about his players ignoring the doom-sayers.Gianluigi Donnarumma is set to captain ItalyCredit: GettyHe added: “We need to feel we are part of something, not just the 11 on the pitch and the rest of the squad in Germany but the 60 million Italians who will be playing with us.“We’re not merely asking them to cheer us on – we want them out there, beside us, on the pitch itself.“My players are now taking a starring role.“They are out there for every Italian who came back after school with a ball under their arm and came home hours later with their shirt dripping in sweat and grazed knees.“We are the dream for all of them. For our people we are heroes, we are giants, so we cannot possibly not put 100 per cent on the pitch.“That means showing the stuff of players who don’t struggle with the atmosphere or the importance of the match. We must go and show we are giants and heroes and have no fear.”Scamacca’s impressive season for Atalanta will have been a huge shock to Hammers fans, although not as much as hearing Spalletti claim: “He has really improved a great deal. He’s a complete striker, he really has everything.”Yet, maybe NOT everything, given the coach then warned: “He needs to compare himself to the other guys occasionally and make the sort of runs other strikers make.READ MORE SUN STORIES“If you make 10 runs, you might get the ball five times. So you have to make 20 runs, in case you get it 10 times.“That is tiring, yes, but there is a certain number of efforts you need to do in a match. You must make as many runs as any other player in that position.”EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT More

A PAIR of Scotland fans are staring down the prospect of wearing nothing but their kilts for the next two weeks in Germany after their suitcases went missing.Die-hard Scots Billy Maxton, 67, and Bob Burnett, 69, have joined the Tartan Army party in Munich ahead of the Euro 2024 curtain-raiser between Scotland and Germany.Kilt-wearing Scots have flooded into Germany for the EurosCredit: EPATwo unfortunate fans have been left in a pickle after they lost their suitcasesCredit: PAAnd they may now be forced to wear the same clothes for the next three weeksCredit: ReutersThe pair, hailing from Dalkeith in Midlothian, ensured they were fully kitted out as they flew from Edinburgh to Germany on Tuesday to support Steve Clarke’s team.They would have hoped to be able to swap into casual wear between games.However, that opportunity was taken away from them when they discovered their suitcases were not with them when they touched down in Munich.And having already spent three days without a change of clothes, Billy and Bob revealed they would be facing two weeks of the same attire.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLSpeaking to the Daily Record, Billy said: “We travelled across from Edinburgh on Tuesday but when we got here our cases hadn’t arrived. “We’ve been trying to chase it up but no one knows where they are.”We’ve been looking like this for three days now and if we don’t get our cases it will be two weeks, at least, in our kilts.”The retired council worker continued: “If they don’t turn up you will see us sitting in a bar with a big empty space around us due to the smell.Most read in Euro 2024BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS”We’re just lucky, though, that we were wearing the perfect outfits before the cases went missing, and our kilts weren’t in the bag!”Despite the setback, the dynamic duo haven’t let it dampen their spirits. Scotland fans singing in a bar in Munich before Euro 2024 opener with GermanyFormer hospital worker Bob added: “The weather and the atmosphere has been amazing. We’ve got tickets for all the games too so we just can’t wait.”It’s been a long time coming, getting to a tournament abroad, so it’s a brilliant feeling. I think we will get through the group stage then who knows how far we could go from there.”We’re supposed to be going home after Stuttgart but we will cancel our flight if we do get through. “If that means another week in these outfits, then so be it. Three weeks in the same clothes – what more can you ask for?”Scottish fans have been living it up in Munich this week.And one German TV reporter got more than they bargained for when filming some Scottish fans out and about.READ MORE SUN STORIESA fan wearing a Germany shirt and kilt saw their kilt lifted by another supporter, leaving his manhood exposed to viewers on live TV, which left the TV host looking flustered.Scotland fans have also suffered a nightmare scenario after they drunk airport bars and pubs DRY while on their trip.Scotland Euro 2024 guideQUALIFYING for back-to-back Euros is an achievement in itself and the Tartan Army are sure to make the most of it.
The Scots recorded a famous 2-0 win over Spain in qualifying, but come into the Euros off the back of seven games without a win.
MANAGER: Steve Clarke
Only Jock Stein, Andy Roxburgh and Craig Brown have managed Scotland in more games than Jose Mourinho’s former assistant.
STAR MAN: John McGinn
The Aston Villa star has reached new levels under Unai Emery’s tutelage and is crucial to a midfield that provides most of Scotland’s goals.
How Scotland attack
Scotland’s three-man midfield will be crucial with the likes of McGinn and Scott McTominay providing lung-busting runs and coming up with most of the goals.
Target man Lyndon Dykes is set to be a big miss with Che Adams likely to step in as the lone striker in a 5-4-1 formation.
How Scotland defend
Scotland will put ten men behind the ball in a deep 5-4-1 block out of possession.
They will work extremely hard to deny the opposition central spaces between the lines, forcing them to resort to wide play and crosses which the Scots feel more comfortable defending.
Read the full Scotland Euro 2024 guide here, including predicted line-ups, odds and Wags More

ENGLAND star John Stones is in contention to start against Serbia.The Three Lions kick-off their Euro 2024 campaign on Sunday night.John Stones is fit for the clash with SerbiaCredit: GettyJordan Pickford praised Stones in his press conferenceCredit: AFPStones, 30, missed a training session earlier this week due to illness.To prevent the bug spreading through England’s camp in Blankenhain, the 72-cap Manchester City star was kept in quarantine away from his team-mates.He started mixing with the rest of the squad and returned to full training yesterday.And Jordan Pickford has now revealed that the centre-back is “fit and ready to go”.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWSAsked about Stones’ importance, he said: “I remember playing with him at Under-19s level and he made the step up early.”I’ve known him for a long time and he is a top player – what he’s won for his club.”Yeah, he is fit and ready to go. “He is one of the best centre-backs in the world and for England he has been quality with the amount of caps he has won.”Most read in Euro 2024PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
Stones’ return is a huge boost for Gareth Southgate, who has a defensive selection dilemma to solve.England are without Stones’ usual centre-back partner Harry Maguire as he did not make the squad due to injury.England fans’ must watch guide to Gelsenkirchen ahead of Three Lions’ Euro 2024 clash vs SerbiaMarc Guehi is expected to start in the Manchester United skipper’s place.And left-back Luke Shaw is sidelined with injury – but he is set to return for the Three Lions’ second match versus Denmark.EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENTWhat Southgate said about axed England stars
WHAT Gareth Southgate said about his axed England stars after confirming his 26-man England squad for Euro 2024.
Harry Maguire
“The decision on Harry [Maguire] is totally about his physical condition and his recovery from the injury. There is no other reason as he is one of our strongest centre-backs.
“Harry has made some progress, but it’s been complicated and we wouldn’t have had him in the group stages. There were too many hurdles to get through without being clear where we might get to.
“Knowing we haven’t got a clean bill of health across the rest of the backline, we need players who are fit and ready to go from the start.
“It was a really difficult call, you know how I feel about Harry, what he’s done for England and for me as a manager. ”
Jack Grealish
“I have just delivered a really difficult conversation to a lad who is devastated.
“I think the world of him as a kid.“It certainly doesn’t get any easier.
“You put yourself in the shoes of a player, a parent. You understand that for these players this is a devastating moment.
“We knew we had a couple of really difficult days coming up.”
James Maddison
“Madders [Maddison] and Jack [Grealish] would have provided us with something different as well and they’ve been tough calls.
“They’re calls we’ve gone over and over and over as a group of staff to try to be fair and to try to use the right rationale.
“We back our decisions but we recognise we could have gone a different route. The boys are big characters, fabulous team-mates and great boys to work with.
“It’s sad to have to deliver that news to them.”
Jarrad Branthwaite
“It’s a bit early for Jarrad [Branthwaite]. He has had a fabulous season, it was good to get him on the pitch the other night.
“But of course, in an ideal world, you’d like that balance of left-footers. For him to be in ahead of the others, I don’t think it would have been the right call at this stage.”
Jarell Quansah
“Jarell Quansah has stayed with us. He’s not had the experience of an England international at Wembley. It’ll be great for him to be us for the game.
“Hopefully we’re not needing to call anyone else in.” More

SERBIAN ultras conducted a night time raid on their own stadium and repainted seats with an offensive message.The break-in was inspired by a protest against Partizan Belgrade’s board.Fans have sent a message to their clubs’ boardCredit: https://informer.rs/The ultras broke into their home Terazije Česma stadium to deliver a message to the boardroom.The seats of the stadium are usually black, but the ultras painted certain seats white.That spelled out a message saying: “Management f*** off”.It comes ahead of a further protest scheduled for 4pm on Sunday.READ MORE SERBIA NEWSThe ultras, called “Grabari” have released a statement justifying their actions.They said: “After the action of Partizan fans during the night, the east stand of the popular “JNA” dawned remodeled and with a clear message and an invitation to a rally on Sunday, June 16 at 4 p.m. “We are attaching photos of the “work in progress” as well as a photo of how that’s what it looks like now, with the view from the renovated central box of the Partizan stadium. “When the morning dawns, I count the days, when Sunday will come…”Most read in Euro 2024EURO 2024 FREE BETS AND OFFERSMeet Serbia’s Euro 2024 Wags
Serbia’s Wags include a former Versace model, a warlord’s daughter and the country’s answer to Dua Lipa.
Sofija Milosevic (Luka Jovic’s girlfriend)
Leggy model who rocked up at the catwalk in Milan used to date Jovic’s team-mate Adem Ljajic.
Vanja Bogdanovic (Dusan Vlahovic’s girlfriend)
Belgrade native Vanja is said to have known Vlahovic since the couple were teenagers. They briefly broke up before reuniting.
Natalija Ilic (Sergej Milinkovic-Savic’s wife)
Perennial Man Utd transfer target is married to a qualified doctor.
Anastasija Gudelj (Nemanja Gudelj’s wife)
Midfielder’s wife is the daughter of one of Serbia’s most popular singers, Ceca, and a warlord, Arkan, who was assassinated in 2000.
Tea Tairovic (linked to Uros Racic)
Serbia’s equivalent to Dua Lipa has over 800,000 Instagram followers but denied links to midfielder Racic in 2023.
Read more about Serbia’s Euro 2024 Wags here

Serbia Euro 2024 guideSERBIA have qualified for three of the last four World Cups but been non-existent on the European front in the past 24 years.
When they last appeared at the Euros, back in 2000, they were still called Yugoslavia and played in blue, as opposed to the red they wear today.
MANAGER: Dragan Stojkovic
Captain, leader, legend of the old Yugoslavia. Was named in the team of the tournament at Italia 90.
STAR MAN: Dusan Tadic
His best years may be behind him, but the 35-year-old is still capable of controlling games in midfield with a creative spark that cannot be ignored.
How Serbia attack
Serbia have a slow and patient build-up as they look to work the ball into the middle of the pitch.
But when they reach those areas they will rapidly change the pace and look to find foxes in the box, Aleksandar Mitrovic and/or Dusan Vlahovic.
How Serbia defend
Serbia’s striker tends to press high while the rest of the team sit deeper.
But their press can be inconsistent, leaving them easy to pass through or beat with a ball over the top.
Read the full Serbia Euro 2024 guide, including predicted line-up, odds and Wags

It comes after Serbian ultras have already caused trouble at Euro 2024.8,000 ultras attempted to storm their nation’s open training session ahead of their opener against England.Full strength beer at England vs Serbia AXED and replaced by low alcohol brew amid threat of boozed-up ultras violenceFans were seen lighting flares from the stands as the Serbian team trained, with only 3,000 being allowed entry.It comes as officials have already banned fans from drinking full strength beer ahead of England’s opener as they fear drunken violence between fans.England fans are invited to have a lemon shandy or zero per cent option instead.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENT More

GARETH SOUTHGATE will not name any substitutes for England’s Euro 2024 opener against Serbia.The Three Lions get their tournament underway on Sunday night. Gareth Southgate has a new name for his subsCredit: GettyEberechi Eze has revealed they are now called ‘finishers’Credit: PASouthgate will have 15 players at his disposal off the bench – but he is not calling any of them subs. He is instead using the word “finishers” to make those not in the starting XI feel more involved.Crystal Palace star Eberechi Eze is likely to be one of the “finishers” for the clash against Serbia.And he explained to The Mail: “It’s not just about the 11. It’s about the whole team, the culture, the collective. You win the tournament as a collective.READ MORE ENGLAND NEWS”It’s putting your ego to the side and being able to focus on what’s important for the team. “If you have that type of culture, which we do, you’ve got the best chance. “The manager spoke about ‘finishers’. We call them finishers, we know that. “The players that come on to the pitch, there is a mentality about it, there’s a way to go about it.Most read in FootballPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
“There’s importance in that role, it’s not just about the 11.”England fans are split over the term, with some liking it and others calling it “absolute nonsense”.Jack Wilshere previews England’s Euro 2024 chances and praises Wayne Rooney while remembering his time as part of Three Lions squadOne fan said: “I get the intent but it’s a bit cringe.”Another added: “Never go full LinkedIn.”A third joked: “Is he naming the ones he will sub off ‘quitters’?”Others thought it was a good idea, saying: “I’ve never liked calling them substitutes. Fresh vs tired legs plays a key part.”More commented: “It’s to change the mentality of players coming off the bench.”EURO 2024 LIVE: LATEST UPDATES FROM THE TOURNAMENTJack Wilshere’s England XI vs SerbiaSunSport columnist Jack Wilshere wants Engand to start with just one holding midfielder – Declan Rice.
That means playing Phil Foden and Jude Bellingham in attacking midfield roles, with Cole Palmer and Bukayo Saka on the wings, either side of Harry Kane up top.
Wilshere said: “In the group stage against teams we should beat, we can  afford to be more expansive, let’s attack.
“It wasn’t that long ago we were saying we didn’t have the Spanish-type of players who can dominate the ball, now we have.
“So let’s try to utilise that, dominate the ball and go for goals.”
And the ex-England midfielder wants Trent Alexander-Arnold to get the nod at right-back, with Kyle Walker centre-back.
He added: “If you play Trent at right-back and he drifts in midfield, he can switch the play at speed. Walker’s pace will get you out of trouble.”
Read more from Jack Wilshere during Euro 2024. More