In Dortmund, Giacomo Raspadori celebrated on the bench. He’s yet to feature at EURO 2024, but the path leading to the final in Berlin on 14 July is a long one, and everyone will be needed. Jack is the first to know that: “I’m putting everything into it at these Euros, just like I’ve always done and like every single one of the 26 players here in Germany are trying to do. My objective is to cause a selection headache for the Coach, although he’s obviously on our side. We need to do as well as we can in training.” The group is hard at work both individually and collectively, and an ever-stronger bond is being forged daily in the games room that has been set up inside the Hotel Vierjahreszeiten in Iserlohn: “We’re enjoying some great moments together, and it’s an aspect that can give us that something extra as we remain united away from the pitch, too.”

Gianluca Scamacca was selected against Albania, while Mateo Retegui is also in the squad. Raspadori, meanwhile, has different physical characteristics: “A well-built striker isn’t a fundamental requirement but can be a bonus. Sometimes, it can be useful to have someone who is physically strong in order to play high balls into the area, but you can also have an attacker who drops deep or who looks for space in behind.”

Raspadori, who has scored six goals in 28 appearances for the National Team, isn’t lacking in ambition, both at international and club level: “My objective is to get as much playing time as possible,” said the Napoli man. “I can no longer consider myself a young player. Compared to when I received my first call-up three years ago, I’m much more mature footballing-wise and aware of my capabilities. I didn’t expect to be called up in 2021, but it’s not a given today. In Italy, you’re considered young when you’re 24. It’s different abroad, where you’ve often played 150-200 games at the age of 24. I hope that this mentality will change, but at Sassuolo I was lucky enough to be given opportunities and make mistakes. The hope is that the youngsters of today can have the same chance.”

Raspadori is back playing under Spalletti, who was previously his coach at Napoli: “The coach transmits energy at every moment, both from a technical-tactical and motivational point of view. You get less time than you do at club level, but the coach is trying to get his philosophy across. We need to absorb as much as possible.” After wishing club teammate and Georgia player Kvaratskhelia the best of luck for their match tonight, Raspadori spoke about the emotions of being involved in another European Championship with Italy: “We’re talking about one of the best things that can happen to a player. That’s why we’re all focused on the Euros; there will be time to talk about club football later. On a personal level, I’ve never felt underrated: I’m part of a group of very strong players, even if I haven’t experienced the kind of continuity that could have benefitted me in the past year. I need to fight every day to be given a chance, and I’ll continue to do so.”

And perhaps Raspadori will be given that opportunity in Gelsenkirchen on Thursday: “During our preparations, we’ve seen that there are various ways we can inflict damage, even if Spain play at a very high tempo and showed this against Croatia. They’re highly aggressive when they lose the ball. When we win it back, we need to keep hold of it and try to create a few chances.” Raspadori also mentioned his tournament favourites: “Given the individual quality they have, I’d say England and France, but the great thing about football is that so many things matter to achieve a result.”

 

SQUAD LIST FOR EURO 2024

Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham);
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Federico Gatti (Juventus), Gianluca Mancini (Roma);
Midfielders: Nicolò Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Nicolò Fagioli (Juventus), Michael Folorunsho (Hellas Verona), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Jorginho (Arsenal), Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma);
Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio).