Three years ago, in the European Championship won by Italy at Wembley, Giovanni Di Lorenzo was one of the new names, but he was also one of the best players. Now, three years on, the Napoli wideman is one of the most experienced players (35 appearances, 3 goals) in the Azzurri squad preparing for their EURO 2024 opener against Albania. Many fans in Iserlohn have embraced him in recent hours. Many have waited outside Casa Azzurri, where the National Team's press conferences are held, for an autograph or a selfie.

Di Lorenzo smiles but remains focused on the opener in Dortmund: "I am very calm. I am preparing for my second European Championship, which is something special. It may seem normal now, but for me, coming from humble beginnings, reaching a second European Championship in my career makes me proud. My focus is entirely on the competition, also to set aside my season and that of Napoli".

Focused only on the National Team: "What matters to me is doing well here with the National Team. When the time comes to talk about Napoli, I will. Right now, the most important thing is to concentrate on the European Championship. This group has a soul, the same as three years ago, even though only seven or eight of us remain. It's a group made up of great players and great men, which is the foundation for achieving great goals. It's a united, healthy group where no one wants to outshine the others. And this can take us far." In 2021, Italy prepared in Coverciano. This time, with the competition entirely in Germany, Iserlohn is the headquarters, with 4,000 people attending yesterday's open training. "It's a great feeling, showing how many Italians are around the world and how much the National Team is followed. For us, it's an extra motivation to give our best".

If Di Lorenzo was well-acquainted with Scamacca, he has been pleasantly surprised by Riccardo Calafiori: "During these past days, he has made a great impression on me, confirming his excellent season with Bologna." For coach Spalletti, these are days of trials: "We are all on the same level, with many capable of playing multiple roles. It will be up to the coach to choose the most suitable players and the way to attack or defend".

The National Team, during their retreat in Iserlohn, also followed Gianmarco Tamberi's triumph at the European Athletics Championships in the high jump. "I met him personally at an awards ceremony in Naples, he made a great impression on me. We cheer for him and all the athletes of the National Athletics Team." The football team hopes to achieve a high jump of their own.