Unfancied Italy ready to surprise again at Euro 2024

Defending champions Italy come into Euro 2024 without the weight of the favourites tag hanging over them but in major tournaments they can never be written off, if they can progress from a challenging group.

Italy went into Euro 2020 having failed to qualify for the previous World Cup, and they come into this year's tournament in the same situation, but under Luciano Spalletti they are ready to put the past behind them in a bid to repeat the glory days.

Unlike last time when they strolled through their qualification group for Euro 2020 with 10 wins out of 10, this time around their participation was at risk until the final game.

Italy defeated England on penalties to win the last Euros but when they came up against the same opponents in qualifying the Italians lost both meetings, and a 0-0 draw with Ukraine meant they scraped through and avoided the playoffs.

Italy's struggles in qualification placed them as bottom seeds in the draw, and they ended up in probably the toughest group, alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania in Group B.

Spalletti, who led Napoli to their first Serie A title since 1990 last season, took over as manager when Roberto Mancini resigned in August last year.

He did not have time to make dramatic changes, needing instead to focus on results and qualification but, along with maintaining an attacking positive attitude, he set about rekindling team spirit.

Italy's main problem of late has been up front, which led to the call-up of Argentine-born Mateo Retegui and while the 25-year-old has netted four times in his six appearances, he may not be a guarantee on the big stage.

The main goal threat in qualifying came from midfield, with Davide Frattesi their leading scorer with three goals, but a return to form for