- Best Euros
- Winner 1968, Losing finalist 2000 and 2012
- 2016 Euros
- Losing quarter-finalist
Italy Euro Schedule
| Date | Fixture | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 11th June 8pm | Turkey v Italy | Rome |
| 16th June 8pm | Italy v Switzerland | Rome |
| 20th June 5pm | Italy v Wales | Rome |
Click here to read a full Group A summary
Road to the Euros
Under the guidance of Roberto Mancini, Italy have rebuilt their stature on the world football stage after their dismal failure to qualify for the 2018 World Cup finals in Russia. In what was admittedly a favourable qualifying group that included Bosnia-Herzegovina, Finland, Greece, Armenia and Liechtenstein, they did what they had to do in some style. They won all ten games, most of them with room to spare, conceding just four goals and scoring 37, including a 9-1 romp against Armenia to round off proceedings.
Current form
Italy have carried that form into the current year, and they are now unbeaten in 25 international outings (Won 20, Drawn 5). Three wins and three draws in their Nations League campaign saw them see off the challenges of the Netherlands, Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina to top their group by a point from the Dutch. Italy kicked off their World Cup qualifying campaign with three 2-0 successes against Northern Ireland, Bulgaria and Lithuania, making it a remarkable five consecutive games won by that scoreline. They kicked off their Euro preparations with last weekend’s 7-0 romp against San Marino, which boosted confidence without being asked too many questions,
Squad assessment
Mancini has reformed Italy by getting back to basics, starting at the back where he has created a formidable defensive unit that has conceded just one goal in the last ten games. The central pairing of Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini remain the building block in a fluid 4-3-2-1 set-up that allows the players in front of them the freedom to express themselves and go forward in numbers. Marco Verratti is likely to be instrumental in pulling the creative strings from midfield, with the engine of Nicola Barelli helping with the workload.. Depending on the needs of the game, Mancini is likely to start with Ciro Immobile on his own up top, with the likes of Chiesa and Insigne operating in the channels and offering width and pace on the break. Politano and Pessina each staked a claim for a place in the starting eleven with a brace apiece against San Marino.
Key players
Bonucci and Chiellini should continue provide Italy’s defensive backbone, backed up by the eye-catching qualities of Alessandro Florenzi. Up front, Immobile and possibly Moise Kean or Politano will hope to grab the goal-scoring headlines, but it could well be the creative flair of midfield playmaker Marco Verratti that takes centre stage in this impressive Italian side.
Click below to read more about each of Italy’s Group A opponents: