On 18 August, when Luciano Spalletti became Italy National team Head Coach, the gaze turned to EURO 2024: firstly, there was a qualification to be won (secured in Germany, in Leverkusen against Ukraine), then a title to defend. It all begins against Albania in Dortmund, a side that Italy and Spalletti know well given that it includes many of players from Serie A. For Spalletti too, who experienced who knows how many big games as a club coach, this is a new feeling. He spoke: “The closer the game, the more tension becomes excitement. It isn’t toxic, it’s an amazing feeling. We’ll play against certain people who know our game very well, really good players, and Sylvinho has done well to build this side. It will be a tough game”.

After two weeks of work and two friendlies against Turkiye and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the time has come to bring what we’ve practised to the pitch. Spalletti explained: “We’ve had some results that have gone against how I would have wanted games to develop. Always being a team and showing our football becomes important: I am convinced that our squad will show what we want to do. I saw great attention from the lads, always doing what is asked of them right away. This is what we want to see on the pitch”.

A squad that will be supported by an entire nation at the BVB Stadion or from Italy: “We aren’t asking 60 million Italians to support us, but to be there on the pitch with us. We are living the dream of every Italian who left home with a ball under their arm and came home all sweaty with skinned knees. We are heroes to our compatriots, giants, we can’t not give everything on the pitch. Giants and heroes aren’t afraid to play a game of football”.

Then he spoke on the news from the training pitch, the most important regarding Nicolò Barella who trained yesterday on the pitch at the Hemberg Stadion Nord in Iserlohn. “We’re listening to how he feels and the medics opinions. Plays always want to play but yesterday everything pointed to him being available”. Spalletti also expressed faith in Gianluca Scamacca (“A complete player, he really knows how to do everything”) and the two emerging defenders Buongiorno and Calafiori: “They have what it takes to get to the top”. Italy is working simultaneously on different systems of play with a four-man or three-man backline. “We can decide to play with a three-man defence and be more offensive than when we play with four. We also have the chance to play with two strikers. The attitude we adopt is what counts. If you manage to handle a game in a certain way, you’re in charge based on the positions you take up”.

DONNARUMMA. If this will be Luciano Spalletti’s first Euros in the dugout, Gianluigi Donnarumma is bag after that final penalty save on Saka against England at Wembley that brought an Italian party to London. Donnarumma, in the meantime, has become captain of this side. The goalkeeper spoke: “That’s the spirit. When you go to a competition like this, it’s normal to be fired up. We want to experience those ‘notti magiche’ once again. I’ll give everything, explaining to the squad what happened three years ago, but the team is already ready, they don’t need my advice. As far as I go, nothing has changed, just some more responsibility. There are several leaders on the pitch who make themselves known, like I do too, trying to give their most. Last Euros was amazing, we made history: now we will try to write another chapter”. 

It begins with Albania in a difficult game, the group is completed by Spain and Croatia. “It’s the most dangerous game in a difficult group. Tomorrow, there will be many dangers, so we have to be at 100% and stay aware. Albania are a fast side with strong individuals: we need to be aware of their counterattacks. It will be fundamental to be compact and balanced: it can be won in the first or 90th minute, but the important thing is to win because the first game is an important one. No points tomorrow means having more to do in another two very difficult games. Our aim is to win all three”.

Dortmund holds happy memories: here, 18 years ago, Italy beat Germany in extra time to win a place in the World Cup final in Berlin, won against France. Gigi Buffon was in goal, now he is Head of the Delegation. Donnarumma admits: “Having him here helps us a lot. He shares his experiences: his presence is a strength for us because he gives us a lot. He can definitely advise us on what is now history but then it’s us out there doing battle on the pitch because it’s not easy: having him here, though, gives us a lot”.

Just as important, something that Gigio has admitted, is working with a mental coach, the same who works with another Azzurri athlete, Marcell Jacobs: “I recommend that everyone goes because it helps you to work in a more balanced way and not take on too much emotionally. Tensions are high, ambitions are high: the important thing is to stay grounded”. Gigio at the back, Scamacca one of those up front: “Gianluca is a great forward who has made some huge steps recently: he has done incredible things, I am happy for him and for us, it can make the difference. It’s important, in moments of difficulty, to have someone you can rely on ahead: him, but also Retegui and Raspadori”. It’s up to them to score, and up to Donnarumma to keep things out.