Ahead of Italy’s decisive match against Croatia in Euro 2024, head coach Luciano Spalletti addressed the media in a pre-match press conference. The outcome of this match will determine Italy’s fate in the tournament, with the team needing at least a draw to secure a spot in the knockout stages. A win or a draw against Croatia will see them advance as the second-placed team in their group, behind Spain, who have already secured the top spot. A loss, however, would leave Italy’s progression dependent on the results of other groups, as they would need to be among the best third-placed teams to advance.
Spalletti emphasized the importance of not settling for a draw, stating, “It would be a huge mistake to enter the field thinking that a draw is enough to advance.” He stressed the need for Italy to control the game and maintain possession, expressing his preference for having the ball rather than defending against it.
Spalletti provided insights into his offensive options, highlighting the contrasting styles of Gianluca Scamacca and Mateo Retegui. “Scamacca is a more flamboyant player; you can expect any number from him, including unexpected errors on easy balls. He is more instinctive in his plays,” Spalletti explained. “Retegui, on the other hand, is more straightforward and reliable when it comes to crucial moments. He rarely misses an important bal.” Spalletti also praised Giacomo Raspadori for his technical skills and ability to integrate well with the team.
Spalletti anticipates a challenging match against a technically proficient Croatian team. “I expect Croatia to play with a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation. As the game progresses, they will need to turn it into a battle. They are very strong technically and in ball control,” he noted.
Regarding player fitness, Spalletti confirmed that Federico Dimarco has recovered and is available for selection, though a final assessment will be made on the morning of the match. “Dimarco is recovered, so he is available. However, we will do a final check tomorrow morning to confirm this, but everything suggests he will be ready.”
Defender Alessandro Bastoni also spoke to the media, reflecting on Italy’s heavy defeat to Spain and the lessons learned. “We didn’t expect such a heavy loss, but it could be beneficial. We have analyzed the game against Spain thoroughly and know what we must avoid tomorrow,” Bastoni said. He emphasized the team’s focus on winning rather than settling for a draw, drawing from his own experiences this season.
