Euro 2024

THEY 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.Italy come into Euro 2024 with plenty of question marksCredit: RexBut even that was not exactly comfortable as they finished narrowly above Ukraine and well below table-toppers England.Veteran boss Luciano Spalletti, 65, will have to use all his experience given the lack of quality at his disposal.Up front, in particular, is an issue with former West Ham flop Gianluca Scamacca likely to start No 9.Sandro Tonali’s betting suspension hampers them in midfield.read more on the eurosThey won it last time but the view back on the Boot is if they make it out of the group, they will have done just fine.Manager: Luciano Spalletti The veteran tactician won’t stand for any nonsense.Spalletti has already clamped down on the time his squad spends on the PlayStation.But the 65-year-old is no dinosaur tactically and his teams are not to be taken lightly.Most read in FootballLuciano Spalletti struggled in qualfyingCredit: APKey man: Gianluigi DonnarummaThe only genuine superstar in the squad has had an up-and-down year at Paris Saint-Germain.But the big man remains elite – as England know only too well from the last final.Likely line-upItaly have a solid back three in front of Donnarumma, with width coming from their wing-backs.Jorginho and Nicolo Barella will be tasked with controlling the centre of the park and getting the ball to Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Pellegrini.Scamacca and Napoli striker Giacomo Raspadori are two options up front.The former is a physical threat while Raspadori is two-footed and offers solid technique but has never been a prolific goalscorer.How they attackUnder Spaletti, we can expect to see an Italian side that are effective and dogged from a defensive perspective but who are also flexible and fun to watch in possession.They will build from the back using intelligent structures to play through the opposition press.Italy will typically use Napoli right-back Giovanni Di Lorenzi as a third central defender.And Federico Dimarco, who plays as a left wing-back, will move higher and come inside.Dimarco moves into a midfield position from wing-backItaly are patient and composed and they create patterns that help them to play through pressure.They are not limited to one style of play.When the opportunity comes they can attack in a much more direct way.Federico Chiesa is released to run into space as the midfield progress the ball quicklyAs the Italians win possession centrally they often take the high risk option and quickly look for opportunities to release runners wide. As they progress and attack into the final third we will see Italy shift the ball into wide areas.They want to create chances to attack the opposition full-back and break into the opposition area.Zaniolo takes possession wide we see Di Lorenzo make a long run around the outside to provide widthHow they defendItaly are not as deep a defensive side as we have perhaps seen in the past.Instead they will look to be proactive and modern in the way that they look to press and work out of possession. Their two wide forwards, who can look to play in a more narrow position, in particular will work and press along with the forward player to disrupt the opposition attack.Italy press the Ukraine defence high and as a wave The striker goes first and presses alone and as soon as the opposition play a poor pass we see the second player join in. When the ball is forced wide the third player then joins and Italy have the opposition pressed in.When they do move high and look to press in the opposition half we will typically see them press and work in a man-to-man style.This means they take away passing lanes and options for the opposition players.Italy press high and the opposition player in possession does not have an easy option to play intoPressing and marking man to man in this way can be dangerous if the opposition can play through the initial press. Italy, however, are willing to be aggressive in terms of continuing to man mark when the ball is played through.Even when the opposition beat the intial press, the Italians work hard to force their rivals backwards.England pass their way through the initial press but the player receiving the ball is forced to play backwards as they cannot turnPredictionItaly struggled in qualifying and face a huge test to get out of their group.Should they manage to top the pile ahead of Spain, Croatia and Albania, they would face one of the best third-placed teams in the last 16.Germany would be potential quarter-final opponents with Portugal and the Netherlands potentially lying in wait in the semis.Finishing second would likely see Italy take on Hungary or Switzerland – providing neither stun Germany – and a potential last-eight clash with England in what would be a fiery grudge match.READ MORE SUN STORIESLatest oddsItaly are among the favourites to win Euro 2024 despite their poor qualifying campaign.They are 16-1 with William Hill – behind England, France, Germany, Portugal and Spain.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament. 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THE usual suspects remain the key men for Croatia… as they have been over a decade.A clutch of players have either more or close to 100 caps for the Balkan side.Croatia have a very experienced squadCredit: GettyThose include defender Domagoj Vida, midfielders Marcelo Brozovic and Mateo Kovacic, former Leicester striker Andrej Kramaric and, of course, captain Luka Modric.Another, Ivan Perisic, is doing his best to be fit after suffering a complex anterior cruciate ligament injury at his former club Tottenham in September.Impressive boss Zlatko Dalic has been along for most of the ride too, having taken them to a World Cup final and third-placed finish since taking over in 2017.A lack of young blood – barring Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol – could cost them though.read more on the eurosManager: Zlatko DalicConsidered a national treasure for his brilliant tournament performances, he spent much of his club career in Croatia, Albania and the Middle East.Dalic finished second to England in the Euro 2020 group stage but lost to Spain in the last 16.Performances on the biggest stage have kept Dalic in the job but a tricky group means he has his work cut out this time.Zlatko Dalic has been manager of Croatia since 2017Credit: GettyKey man: Luka ModricThe 2018 Ballon D’Or winner may no longer be an automatic starter for Real Madrid, but he is for his country and is on 174 caps.Most read in FootballJust don’t tell the 38-year-old it’s coming home.Luka Modric gets involved all over the fieldLikely line-upCroatia have an extremely settled line-up with plenty of tournament experience.The midfield three bring bags of quality and creative spark.A solid – if unspectacular back four – is not blessed with pace, meaning Josip Stanisic and Josip Juranovic will be tasked with not leaving the centre-backs exposed.Kramaric will lead the line and look to get on the end of crosses from Perisic – if fit – and Mario Pasalic.How Croatia could line up at the EurosHow they attackWhile Croatia have been fantastic in recent World Cups, they have been less impressive in the Euros.They come into this tournament playing 4-3-3 and their midfield of Modric, Brozovic and Kovacic is one of the most experienced and technically gifted in the world.In the attacking phase of the game, at least two of those players sit deep to help Croatia to progress the ball through pressure.Against Wales, Modric and Kovacic dropped into deeper positions to form a two at the base of the midfieldAs they move the ball into the opposition half, the three central midfielders help Croatia attack with the two wide forwards making movements into the channels or even into the central areas.This will then, in turn, create space wide that they can play into and exploit.Against Armenia, Croatia have narrowed the pitch and can spread to a full-back overlappingWith a quick switch of play into the wide areas, they are then able to attack into space.As the Croats attack to the last line and look for ways to break into the opposition penalty area, the midfield is again key.Croatia will play with a target man looking to receive the ball and link play with the midfielders.As striker Bruno Petkovic takes a pass, Lovro Majer’s run from deep allows Croatia to break through the last line and into the penalty areaHow they defendAlthough Croatia will play in a 4-3-3 this summer, the way that they press sees them move into more of a 4-4-2 with one of the midfielders or wide attackers typically released to work higher along with the striker.They will then be positioned in two lines of four behind this initial press and will be difficult to play around or through.A second player joins the striker in the press with two banks of four behind themDalic’s side can be extremely aggressive against the ball but they tend to only react in this manner when the opposition are in possession when there has been a clear trigger.If an opponent takes a poor touch or plays a poor pass then the Croatians, led again by the midfield, will counter press and be aggressive.Here, the Welsh player has taken a poor touch and immediately we see the Croatian press collapse around the ball as they look for an opportunity to quickly regain possessionThis fluid approach out of possession for Croatia will translate to a higher press if the opposition take a poor touch or make a mistake when they are building the attack. The game intelligence and experience throughout the Croatian squad is key in these situations as they understand when to hold a deeper block and when to jump and press high.As the Turkish player takes a poor touch in build-up, we immediately see Croatia squeeze the opposition in and look to regain possessionPredictionCroatia find themselves in the group of death – with Spain, Italy and Albania.If they can come out on top, they would face one of the best third-place teams in the last 16 and likely have to go through Germany in the quarter-finals.Spain and the Netherlands are also in that half of the draw, while England could lie in wait in the final – a repeat of the 2018 World Cup semi.If they finish second, Hungary and Switzerland are potential last-16 draws, with England, France and Belgium all littering a tough route to the final.READ MORE SUN STORIESPLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
Latest oddsThere are a group of six teams being favoured by the bookies, including England, Spain and Belgium.Croatia are just outside that core with odds of 40/1 at William Hill. More

SPAIN’S team may not be a patch on the one that dominated world football 15 years ago – which had superstars coming out of its ears.Yet Luis de la Fuente’s side still topped a qualifying group full of banana skins.Luis de la Fuente is in charge of a strong Spain squadCredit: GettyThe only slip-up came at Hampden Park when Scott McTominay’s double earned Scotland a famous 2-0 win – after which crybaby Rodri branded the Tartan Army’s style “a bit rubbish”.Spain triumphed in all their other games, seeing off Erling Haaland’s Norway and winning 7-1 away to Georgia, who will also compete in Germany thanks to the play-offs.Chelsea fans may be surprised to see Alvaro Morata is captain, given he was hardly an inspiration at Stamford Bridge.In fact La Roja’s squad is full of Premier League players from the past, present and, quite possibly, future.read more on the eurosManchester City marathon man Rodri is the man who orchestrates Spain’s gameplan.Newcastle fans are still bemused by the reversal of fortune for their former flop Joselu – now starring for Real Madrid – while Mikel Merino also once wore black and white.Merino’s Real Sociedad team-mate Martin Zubimendi is a long-time target for Arsenal, and Spurs are keen on Nico Williams.Dani Olmo – whose hat-trick in August’s German Super Cup denied Harry Kane yet another trophy – has a £52million release clause at RB Leipzig which kicks in this summer.Most read in FootballManager: Luis de la FuenteSurprise choice as coach but won the Under-21 Euros in 2019 and an Olympic silver medal a year later.Luis de la Fuente has got off to a strong start as Spain bossCredit: GettyKey man: RodriRodri is arguably the greatest holding midfielder the Premier League has ever seen.But will Manchester City’s Mr Invincible have enough left in the tank after complaints of tiredness this season?Rodri plays a vital anchoring role for SpainLikely line-upDe la Fuente makes full use of Spain’s reputation for technical brilliance by packing out his midfield.Rodri and Fabian Ruiz provide a solid base, allowing Gavi licence to roam.Morata is often deployed as a target man with plenty of pace on the flanks provided by the likes of Ferran Torres and Williams.There is plenty of experience at full-back thanks to Jose Gaya and Dani Carvajal.How they attackUnder Luis de la Fuente, Spain will be a very different side to what we have seen in recent years. Gone is the 4-3-3 to be replaced by a more structured 4-2-3-1 system and this forms the basis of how they will attack in this tournament.When building out from deeper positions we will see Spain push their full-backs slightly higher – to the same line as the two deeper central midfielders.The goalkeeper effectively forms a back three with the two central defenders.This shape, along with the two central midfielders dropping back, will help Spain to effectively move the ball out from the back.Rodri and Fabian Ruiz are the two deepest midfielders and they will stay deep in build-up as the full-backs push forward, and the keeper moves alongside the centre-backsWhen they are further up the pitch, the wide attackers and central attacking midfielder are very fluid, moving in and out of position in order to create space that can be exploited.  Rodri has the ball and the winger moves inside to allow the ful-lback to dash down the wing to receive the ballWith the two deepest midfielders holding their shape at the base of the attack, Spain attack with four players.The attacking midfielder and two wingers move forward aggressively to support the striker. They will then be further supported by the two full-backs moving into advanced positions.Rodri finds Morata in the channel and the Spanish have plenty of options in attackSpain will be a real threat to opposition teams with their willingness to push players forward.How they defendThe move away from their traditional 4-3-3 shape into a 4-2-3-1 also makes Spain more solid defensively. The presence of two deep midfielders offers security and allows them to push further forward and to press in a higher block.Spain look to press and work in a high block to try to regain possession high. They will press from their strikers looking to cut off passing lanes for the goalkeeperSpain will consistently be brave in their defensive game plan.They will be willing to push players high and to play man-on-man against the opposition. In doing so they will effectively force the opposition either into making a mistake and a loose pass or playing longer and giving the ball away.Nico Williams ends up pressing right across to the goalkeeper from the far side as the rest of the team go man to man.The likes of Williams and Lamine Yamal provide pace and direct running from the wide areas and support Morata, who is defensively intelligent player.Spain work together to limit opportunities for the opposition to play forward.Spain press high and work defensively. They will regain possession regularly in these areas.PredictionShould Spain top their group, their last-16 opponents will be one of the best third-placed teams.They would then likely have to go through Germany in the quarter-finals and Portugal or the Netherlands in the semis.By finishing second, they would probably face Hungary or Switzerland for the right to set up a potential last-eight collision with England.France or Belgium would then be realistic semi-final opponents meaning Spain are going to have it tough either way – as he been reflected in their odds.Latest oddsThe three-time winners are fifth favourites to win the competition behind England, France, Germany and Portugal.They are 8/1 with William Hill to add a fourth crown.PLAY DREAM TEAM EUROS NOW!The best fantasy football game for this summer’s tournament.
Glam fans and WagsReal Madrid stalwart Carvajal has been married to partner Daphne since 2022 – team-mate Joselu is his brother-in-law.The two tied the knot at a rustic former Franciscan convent in Ayllon, Segovia, in front of just 250 close friends and family members.Torres has split from former Spain boss Luis Enrique’s daughter Sira.She is a professional show-jumper and a member of the swanky Barcelona Royal Polo Club.READ MORE SUN STORIESCaptain Morata is dating stunning Italian model and fashion designer Alice Campello.She revealed she spent eight months ignoring his messages before they got together.Dani Carvajal poses with wife DaphneCredit: The Mega AgencyLuis Enrique’s daughter will be supporting Spain despite her splitCredit: InstagramSira Martinez was dating Ferran TorresCredit: Instagram / @siramartinezcAlice Campello will also be in the standsCredit: Instagram / @alicecampelloAlvaro Morata finally persuaded the stunning model to date him
Sara Botello recently had a child with Aymeric LaporteCredit: Instagram / @sara_botello
The couple tied the knot last yearCredit: Instagram @Sara_BotelloMikel Merino’s stunning girlfriend Lola LiberalCredit: Instagram @lolaliberal More