Daniele Orsato has announced he will retire from the world of refereeing after participating in EURO 2024, but hopes Italy win the trophy rather than him close with a Final.

The official spoke to Sky Sport Italia ahead of the tournament, which kicks off in Germany on June 14 and will conclude with the showdown on July 14.

He confirmed that his career will come to a close following the competition.

“I close a wonderful experience and I am very proud, both for me and my family. I will give my all, I am proud of what I have done and will keep giving my best to the very end.”

Considering his experience and quality, Orsato is one of the candidates to officiate the EURO 2024 Final. So does he hope to see out his career with this most prestigious of jobs?

“Obviously, what we all hope for is that Italy win the tournament. I would be proud and happy if I were to officiate the Final, but if Italy win, I’ll be just as happy.”

If a nation reaches the later knockout stages of the competition, then their referees are sent home to avoid potential conflicts of interest.

Orsato shrugs off designator role

The referee has also been linked with a future role as the chief designator in Serie A, but the 48-year-old shrugs that off.

“No, all I see is my family, my wife and children. I see nothing more other than them.”

Orsato has already officiated the 2019-20 Champions League Final and the decisive EURO 2024 play-off between Wales and Poland.

He struggled to hold back tears when officiating his last Champions League game.

Nicolò Zaniolo is out of EURO 2024, confirmed Italy coach Luciano Spalletti today. ‘I would exclude the possibility’ of him making it.

The Aston Villa forward lasted just over 15 minutes against Liverpool as a substitute on Monday evening and was diagnosed with a microfracture in his foot.

There were reports the injury was so serious that it would rule him out of the tournament, which runs in Germany from June 14 to July 14.

Now that has been confirmed by Azzurri boss Spalletti, who was attending the Sport Human Factor event in Rome.

“I spoke to Zaniolo. It is very unlikely he could recover in time, in fact I would exclude that possibility entirely,” explained the coach.

Zaniolo unlucky with injuries

It is another blow for Zaniolo, who had already been forced to miss Italy’s victorious EURO 2020 campaign due to injury.

He is owned by Galatasaray and spent this season on loan at Aston Villa, but barely made an impact with three goals in 39 competitive appearances.

The 24-year-old mainly made his mark on the disciplinary record with 12 yellow cards.

Luciano Spalletti has started to finalise his Italy squad for the upcoming European Championship and reports suggest eight players are fighting for the three remaining spots in the team.

The Azzurri coach told the press on Tuesday that ’70-80%’ of the squad had already been decided ahead of next month’s tournament in Germany, exciting fans as the team prepare to try and defend their European title in the summer.

Italy find themselves in Group B of Euro 2024 alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania, setting up a tough and testing start to the tournament. Hopes are high for Spalletti and his players, especially after the Azzurri’s painful absence from the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Pages 20 and 21 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport detail how 23 players have seemingly already been decided for Italy’s Euro 2024 squad, leaving just three spots left for eight possible candidates.

In goal, there seems to be a fight between Alex Meret and Marco Carnesecchi to be the third-choice goalkeeper. There are no doubts in defence, but things are more complicated in the midfield and frontline.

Stephan El Shaarawy, Giacomo Bonaventura and Michael Folorunsho are all reportedly fighting for a spot in the midfield, whilst Mattia Zaccagni, Matteo Politano and Riccardo Orsolini compete to join the attack.

Likely Italy squad for Euro 2024

Goalkeepers: Donnarumma, Vicario, Meret / Carnesecchi;

Defenders: Darmian, Scalvini, Acerbi, Buongiorno, Calafiori, Mancini, Di Lorenzo, Bellanova, Cambiaso, Dimarco, Bastoni;

Midfielders: Jorginho, Cristante, Barella, Locatelli, Frattesi, Pellegrini, El Shaarawy / Bonaventura / Folorunsho;

Forwards: Scamacca, Retegui, Raspadori, Chiesa, Zaccagni / Politano / Orsolini.

Reports in Italy suggest that Aston Villa loanee Nicolo Zaniolo is set to miss out on Euro 2024 this summer after suffering an injury during a cameo appearance against Liverpool in the Premier League on Monday night. 

Zaniolo to miss another EUROs

Corriere dello Sport and TMW report that the 24-year-old has suffered a microfracture in his foot during a 14-minute appearance against Jurgen Klopp’s side. He has since had medical tests, and the Italian outlet claim that the outcome is ‘serious’. 

The player and his parent club, Galatasaray, are now awaiting the confirmed recovery period. 

The recovery time for that particular injury is typically at least a month, and, at the time of writing, we are currently exactly 30 days away from the first game of Euro 2024: Germany vs. Scotland at the Allianz Arena. 

Because of the expected lay-off, Corriere dello sport report that Zaniolo is unlikely to be called-up by Luciano Spalletti for the summer tournament. The CT confirmed earlier today that ’70-80%’ of his squad has already been decided upon. 

It will be the second consecutive European Championships that Zaniolo has missed through injury, as he was recovering from a ruptured cruciate ligament in the summer of 2021 at the time of the rescheduled EURO 2020, which his teammates went on to win against England at Wembley.

As Zaniolo made his Azzurri debut in 2019, and given that Italy did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup, the former Roma youngster is still yet to feature at a major tournament.

#Italia, #Zaniolo salta l'#Europeo: cosa è successo https://t.co/iN28bPI91B

— Corriere dello Sport (@CorSport) May 14, 2024

Benjamin Pavard admits his France side will be among the favourites at Euro 2024, but warns that Luciano Spalletti’s Italy ‘must not be underestimated.

Pavard, a fresh Serie A title champion with Inter, spoke to Repubblica about the upcoming Euros.

“We know we are among the favourites. We have a great team and a great coach, but we must not put too much pressure on ourselves,” he admitted.

“We’ve played in big competitions, learning from good and bad moments. Now I must play well in the last Inter games, hoping Deschamps will call me up.”

What’s his take on Italy?

“It must not be underestimated. Spalletti is very good and he did well at Napoli. He has great footballers, some of whom play with me at Inter.”

Read Pavard’s full interview about Inter’s season and his plans for the future here.

It is now confirmed that Luciano Spalletti can call up to 26 players for EURO 2024, so who already has a place in the Italy squad?

UEFA had originally planned to reduce the squads to 23 in pre-pandemic levels, but today announced that coaches would be given the option of a squad between a minimum of 23 and a maximum of 26 players.

The benches will also be expanded to 15 members, meaning nobody will have to be left in the stands during the tournament from June 14 to July 14.

This should give more clues as to who Spalletti will bring along for the Azzurri camp in Germany over the summer, as they try to defend their title of European Champions.

The deadline for announcing the final squad is on June 7 and Italy will face Spain, Croatia and Albania in the group stage of the tournament.

Italy players guaranteed a spot

According to Calciomercato.com, there are already 13 players who are guaranteed a place in the group, assuming of course that they avoid injury.

They include Gianluigi Donnarumma, Guglielmo Vicario, Alessandro Bastoni, Federico Dimarco, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Giorgio Scalvini, Matteo Darmian, Nicolò Barella, Jorginho, Bryan Cristante, Davide Frattesi, Lorenzo Pellegrini and Federico Chiesa.

Gianluca Scamacca was put on a warning, but considering his recent form for Atalanta, it seems unlikely he would be left out.

Mateo Retegui, Francesco Acerbi, Gianluca Mancini, Riccardo Orsolini and Giacomo Raspadori are also likely to get the nod.

It is now official that coaches at EURO 2024 this summer will have the option to call up to 26 players in their squads and the benches are expanded to 15.

There were suggestions in AFP and L’Equipe today that the squad numbers would be amplified from 23 players to 26 for the summer tournament.

That was then confirmed by UEFA this evening.

It kicks off on June 14 in Germany and runs to July 14, with Italy in a group against Spain, Croatia and Albania.

The expanded teams were already available at EURO 2024, as it was in the post-Covid era and there was a greater risk of players dropping out at short notice.

Expansion for EURO 2024

The plan had been to return to 23 players for this competition, but they seem to have reached a compromise.

The minimum number of players that a coach can bring to the tournament is 23 and the maximum is 26, but they are not obliged to use up all those spots.

It also comes along with the extension of the benches to 15 players, so nobody will be left in the stands.

This is a change from EURO 2020, when there were only 12 on the bench, so three had to be cut from the group on matchday.

Didier Deschamps has confirmed that Milan striker Olivier Giroud will definitely be leaving Serie A at the end of the 2023-24 season to join Los Angeles FC in MLS, and has also promised that his decision to move to the States will have no impact on the Euro 2024 squad selection.

Deschamps spoke in-depth about the veteran Rossoneri forward during an interview with AFP, published on Wednesday.

Giroud, who has spent three seasons in San Siro, has been rumoured to be nearing a move to the United States for much of the 2023-24 campaign, and officially penned a pre-contract agreement with LAFC back in April.

He will turn 38 years of age in September.

Deschamps on Giroud’s hopes of Euro 2024 call-up

“Olivier has made a sporting choice and a life choice. Despite his age, he still has a burning fire within him. Maybe it’s also an opportunity to meet up with Hugo (Lloris) and his family again.

The former France captain is the current LAFC goalkeeper after leaving Premier League side Tottenham at the end of last summer.

Continuing, Deschamps confirmed that Giroud’s decision to move to MLS will have no influence on whether or not he is included for the summer Euros squad.

The French CT added: “He wants to continue his career, but with slightly fewer demands than in Europe. But that doesn’t change my choice, given that he will stay with Milan until the end of the season.

“Olivier has experience, an incredible background, but there will be competition for him, just like with everybody else. It’s not the transfer that will gain or lose him a place in the squad in my eyes.”

#Giroud lascia il #Milan e va a Los Angeles, Deschamps conferma: 'Scelta sportiva e di vita' https://t.co/JCjmCXK75L

— calciomercato.com (@cmdotcom) May 1, 2024

Belgium coach Domenico Tedesco opened up about the ‘complicated’ season of Romelu Lukaku, Italy’s chances at Euro 2024 and the rumours linking him with the Milan job.

Lukaku was at the centre of transfer market drama last summer after it emerged that he’d secretly been negotiating with Juventus behind Inter’s back, causing their talks with Chelsea to immediately collapse. A move to Turin never materialised and he ultimately joined the Giallorossi on loan.

On the other side of the coin, his compatriot Charles De Ketelaere has had an explosive season in Serie A, shining under Gian Piero Gasperini at Atalanta, scoring 11 goals and providing eight assists in 41 appearances across all competitions.

Tedesco opens up

Speaking on page 17 of today’s Gazzetta dello Sport, Tedesco first gave his thoughts on Lukaku’s season with Roma.

“Complicated. He arrived at Roma once the season had started, he was training with the Chelsea second team, he did all the preparation without knowing what would become of him. I was very happy when I learned that he would return to Italy.

“And in Rome he was immediately a protagonist, it’s tough for someone who came from a summer like that. When you sign Romelu the expectations are high, but he handles the pressure with incredible calm.”

He spoke about if De Ketelaere surprised him at Atalanta.

“Yes and no. No because I know well what Charles is capable of. Yes, because he came from a difficult season, in which he didn’t play and never found consistency.”

Tedesco commented on De Ketelaere’s struggles at Milan.

“San Siro is fantastic, but it can be a challenge for a new player at certain times. Maybe you start well, you find the rhythm and then it’s easy.

“But if you train for a whole week and then only have some moments to show how much you’re worth, it becomes tough. But if you sign for a team of a certain level, you also know what you’re up against.”

The Belgium coach gave his thoughts on Italy’s qualities ahead of Euro 2024.

“The Azzurri are always candidates for victory in any tournament. And they always will be, because they have an innate ability, they know how to win the games that count.”

Tedesco discussed the Italian influence on his work.

“A lot in managing the team. I treat my players as my parents treated me, and there is a lot of Italian in that.

“Tactically, however, I grew up in Stuttgart where dominant football, counter-pressing, quick verticalisations are practiced.

“But I learned wherever I’ve been, especially talking to the players. They have lots of ideas, you just have to listen to them.”

He was asked if he’d like to work in Serie A one day.

“Now I’m very focused on the European Championship and above all I don’t have a career plan in front of me, I never have, it all depends on the situations that arise. However, I won’t deny that I like Italian football, and that I grew up with it.”

Finally, Tedesco discussed the rumours linking him with Milan.

“I don’t comment on transfer rumours because there are too many, I wouldn’t know where to start and where to end.”

Luciano Spalletti and Italy are gearing up for a vitally important Euro 2024 and need to be wary of three pitfalls as they look to defend their title.

The pressure is on the Azzurri to respond on the international stage after their recent heartbreak in the World Cup qualifiers, where they lost to North Macedonia in the play-offs back in March 2022, ruling them out of that winter’s tournament in Qatar.

Italy bounced back from their 2018 qualification failure with an unexpected and historical win at Euro 2020, and now they’ve been tasked with another resounding run in Germany this summer, setting up a crucially important tournament for Spalletti and his players.

With the Azzurri in Group B alongside Spain, Croatia and Albania, what are three pitfalls facing Spalletti’s Italy at Euro 2024 this summer?

1 – Spain on the rise

It’s been more than a decade now since La Roja set the footballing world alight at two European Championships and a World Cup, and after a quiet spell, things are starting to rumble again on the Iberian Peninsula.

Spain edged out a tense win over Croatia in the Nations League final last year, their first title since Euro 2012, and Luis de la Fuente’s side were near-flawless in their qualifying campaign, winning seven of their eight matches. They’ll be expecting a strong run at Euro 2024 and will certainly prove tough opponents for Spalletti’s Italy in the group stage.

2 – Croatia hunger at Euro 2024

Croatia are a nation who’ve been punching well above their weight in international football since 2018, when they finished second in the World Cup in Russia. The Vatreni did disappoint at Euro 2020 but then bounced back at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, picking up a bronze medal.

With talismanic midfielder Luka Modrić in the twilight of his career now, Euro 2024 could be the final chance for this Croatia side to have a serious shot of glory on the international stage, and they won’t be keen to exit at the group stage, forcing the Azzurri to prepare for a tough, tense battle in Germany.

3 – Italy in the box

The final pitfall that could upset the Azzurri at Euro 2024 is an internal one, and one that the fans know all too well at this stage – a reliable source of goals. Whilst the Azzurri have a number of possible starting strikers for the tournament, none have truly been tested at the highest level.

Possible number nines for Spalletti including Genoa’s Mateo Retegui, who has only netted six league goals in his debut season for Genoa, Atalanta’s Gianluca Scamacca, who has recently hit a vein of rich form but has otherwise been inconsistent and Napoli’s Giacomo Raspadori, whose goal-per-game ratio with the national team is no better than Ciro Immobile’s.

Former Napoli and Inter coach Rafa Benitez feels Italy are among the favourites to win Euro 2024 alongside England, Germany, Portugal and Spain and reveals he studied Thiago Motta’s Bologna this season.

Spanish coach Benitez feels Italy are among the favourite teams to win Euro 2024 this summer.

“Personally, I think Italian football is moving towards a new golden era as I see growing potential,” the ex-Liverpool boss told Gazzetta.

Two Serie A clubs, Roma and Atalanta, have qualified for the Europa League semifinals, while the Azzurri will defend their European champions status at Euro 2024 in the summer.

“Spalletti aims for success and with a coach who can pass on this DNA to a high-level team, I put them among the favourites alongside England, Germany, Portugal and Spain,” noted Benitez.

Sports fans are placing bets through Google Pay Casino with guaranteed safety and reliability, and most bettors think France will be among the teams to beat in Germany in June.

Italy coach Spalletti also released an interview on Tuesday, speaking with Il Corriere dello Sport. The Azzurri CT revealed he had invited four Azzurri legends to watch a training session at Coverciano during preparations for the Euros this summer.

“When we start preparation for the Euros at Coverciano, I’d like to bring four No.10: Baggio, Del Piero, Totti and Antognoni,” said the Italy CT.

“I’ve already spoken to Gravina about this. Think about them watching a training session. It would push the lads to raise the bar. The Federation will soon send invitations. If you want, I can also mention a No.10 between the sticks and not only.

“The national team jersey is special. When you join the national team, you know you must fill the jersey and wear it all the time,” continued Spalletti.

“You must train well during the two hours of the session and have an appropriate attitude during the remaining 22 hours. I’d rather have a player with less quality, but morally intact. Some time ago, there was a debate on my consideration of rest. On the fact that one must be rested when he goes to play. This simple concept can’t be labelled as the Spalletti code, but it must be a mandatory professional duty.”

Like Spalletti, Benitez also worked for Napoli and Inter in Serie A. The Spanish tactician was sacked by La Liga side Celta Vigo in March 2024 after just eight months at the club.

So, what has the future in store for the ex-Liverpool boss?

“The world ‘project’ is rare in today’s football, but in this moment of transition, the only thing one can do is to wait for the right call,” he replied.

“In the meantime, I must remain updated and study. I’ve observed Bologna, Bayer Leverkusen and Real Sociedad who have interesting and different playing styles.”

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti invited four Italian legends, Roberto Baggio, Alessandro Del Piero, Francesco Totti, and Giancarlo Antognoni, to watch an Azzurri training session at Coverciano before Euro 2024 this summer.

The Azzurri CT released an extended interview with Il Corriere dello Sport, talking about Euro 2024, Napoli, his former player Daniele De Rossi and his football vision.

“I’ll feel I am the national team coach only when I bring Italy forward at the Euros,” he said, talking about the Azzurri.

“The national team jersey is special. When you join the national team, you know you must fill the jersey and wear it all the time. You must train well during the two hours of the session and have an appropriate attitude during the remaining 22 hours. I’d rather have a player with less quality, but morally intact. Some time ago, there was a debate on my consideration of rest. On the fact that one must be rested when he goes to play. This simple concept can’t be labelled as the Spalletti code, but it must be a mandatory professional duty.”

Spalletti had previously warned his players that they would not be allowed to play PlayStation while with the national team, and Italian media saw this as a message directed at Atalanta star Gianluca Scamacca, who was not called up for games against Ecuador and Venezuela. However, Spalletti didn’t name any specific player in his latest interview.

“It is a general thing that must be interpreted,” he said.

Spalletti invites four Italy legends

“When we start preparation for the Euros at Coverciano, I’d like to bring four No.10: Baggio, Del Piero, Totti and Antognoni,” the CT continued.

“I’ve already spoken to Gravina about this. Think about them watching a training session. It would push the lads to raise the bar. The Federation will soon send invitations. If you want, I can also mention a No.10 between the sticks and not only.”

This time, a clear reference to Italy’s delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon.

“I knew Gigi as a great goalkeeper, a man of football and a dressing-room leader,” said Spalletti.

“But at this moment, I’ve understood that he is also a close friend and that, as a director, he’ll be at the same level as the big champion he was. He has proved to have knowledge in an entirely new role. And if words aren’t enough, it will be enough to look at him to understand where we want to get.”

Spalletti denied FIGC President Gabriele Gravina had called him before Roberto Mancini’s resignation.

“Those who say such a silly thing forget that it was Mancini who handed his resignation in, and he did it suddenly,” insisted Spalletti.

“I met the president for the first time in the coming days and I can say he was really struggling.”

Should Italy be confident for the Euros?

“Confidence must match the love we feel for the national team. The more you love it, the more confidence you have,” replied Spalletti.

“We must fear nobody. We are the tool to reach happiness. It’s the quality of those who love us.”

What will Spalletti do after the national team?

“I always live as if I could change my fate at the last moment,” he concluded.

Inter have capped off a near perfect season with their Scudetto success and now the European Championship is on the horizon, where more glory can be found for their players.

The Nerazzurri mathematically secured their 20^th league title and second Scudetto star with their 2-1 Derby della Madonnina win over Milan on Monday evening, sparking scenes of celebration and anguish in the Lombardy capital.

Inter have already started to look ahead to the 2024-25 season, where they’ll compete in the new Club World Cup as well as the Champions League and Serie A, but beforehand the majority of the squad will take part in the upcoming European Championship in Germany.

Euro 2024: Three Inter players set to shine

Nicolo Barella

One of the stars of the show in Simone Inzaghi’s high-flying Inter squad, Barella is expected to play a leading role for Italy at Euro 2024. The 27-year-old already has over 50 caps for the Azzurri, reaching a level of maturity and leadership that could prove key for Spalletti in the summer.

Barella consistently produces tangible contributions in both attacking and defensive moves, scoring two goals and providing seven assists in 40 matches across Serie A and the Champions League this term.

Marcus Thuram

France are a team with a point to prove in Euro 2024; after their campaign was cut short by Switzerland in the last edition, they bounced back with an impressive showing at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, where they barely lost out to Argentina.

Thuram was not a part of that squad in Euro 2020 but started to break through at the World Cup, providing assists in the matches with Poland and Argentina. The Inter striker has added multiple layers to his game since joining Inter last summer, and his evolution could be a secret weapon for Les Bleus.

Hakan Calhanoglu

No player has gone such a dramatic transformation under Inzaghi than Calhanoglu, who has proven himself to be one of the best registas in world football over the last year. The 30-year-old guarantees a level of control in midfield and is no slouch going forward, netting 13 goals across 37 games this term.

Turkey were widely considered to be dark horses at Euro 2020 but they collapsed under expectations, failing to pick up a single point in their group. This summer, a reaction is expected from fans and Calhanoglu will be a central figure in their tournament in Germany.

UEFA have confirmed the 19-man list of referees for Euro 2024, calling up two Italian representatives for this summer’s tournament in Germany.

Luciano Spalletti’s Azzurri are expected to produce a strong campaign at the European Championship following their recent World Cup heartbreak, having failed to qualify for the 2022 edition in Qatar, their second successive qualification collapse.

Italy enter Euro 2024 as defending champions following their historic success back in 2021. The squad has started to evolve since then, ushering in a new era for the Azzurri following the turbulent Roberto Mancini era.

Two Italian officials at Euro 2024

As confirmed by UEFA, the 19-man list of referees for Euro 2024 have been announced, confirming the inclusion of two Italians – Marco Guida and Daniele Orsato.

Interestingly, one of the 19 is not from Europe, as Argentine referee Facundo Tello and his assistants are also part of the officiating team.

Other interesting inclusions include English duo Anthony Taylor and Michael Oliver, France’s Clement Turpin, Netherlands’ Danny Makkelie and Spain’s Jesus Gil Manzano.

Tottenham and Italy full back Destiny Udogie is widely expected to miss out this summer’s European Championship after an operation on a muscle injury.

The 21-year-old Italian left back has been an impressive part of Ange Postecoglou’s squad in North London this term, scoring twice and generating three assists across 28 Premier League matches. He earnt his first Azzurri cap back in October and was again part of the squad in March.

Udogie shared a photo of himself and his mother in hospital on Saturday evening, having undergone an operation on an unnamed injury. The Italian talent confirmed that his season was over as a result of the issue, casting doubts on his availability for this summer’s European Championship.

Udogie sidelined

As detailed by The Athletic, Udogie suffered a left quadriceps in training with Tottenham this week, which forced him to undergo the operation. He is expected to return to the Spurs squad for their pre-season preparations, and as such will miss out on Euro 2024 with Italy.

Other reports including from Fabrizio Romano and Gianluca Di Marzio also suggest the 21-year-old has been ruled out of this summer’s tournament.

Italy international and Tottenham Hotspur player Destiny Udogie announced his season is over following an injury, but it remains to be seen if he’ll miss EURO 2024.

The full-back confirmed the news himself with a post on his Instagram account, where he was posing in a hospital room with his mother.

“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord,” he wrote.

“An injury brings my season to an early end. It doesn’t take away from how grateful I am to every person that has supported me this year.”

There is still no mention of the injury on the official Tottenham Hotspur website, so it is not clear what the problem is that has ended his campaign.

It is therefore not known how long he will be out for and if he will also be ruled out of this summer’s EURO 2024 tournament, where he was expected to be part of Luciano Spalletti’s Italy squad.

According to Fabrizio Romano, Spurs expect him to be out for three months, which would exclude Udogie from the Euros.

The 21-year-old was born and raised in Verona, coming through the Hellas academy before a transfer to Udinese, then was purchased by Tottenham for €18m in 2022, but left in Udine on loan for one more season.

This term he made 30 appearances for Spurs with two goals and three assists.

Udogie has three senior caps for Italy.

 

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Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp admits he didn’t know Gianluca Scamacca too well before he joined West Ham in 2022 but believes he is a ‘fantastic option’ for Italy ‘for a specific way of play.’

Klopp was asked his thoughts on Scamacca during a pre-match press conference on Wednesday.

The Italy international scored twice at Anfield last week, becoming the first Italian player to score a brace away at Liverpool.

An Italian reporter asked Klopp the last question during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. It was about Scamacca and whether he could start for Italy at Euro 2024.

What Klopp said about Scamacca

“He was exceptional against us—really, really good. He was difficult to play against,” the coach replied.

“He was great in the air and great on the floor. I didn’t know him too well when he came to West Ham. It didn’t work out well 100% there, but it can happen because the Premier League is a difficult league to play. You can see he has great quality.

“I don’t know all the other Italian strikers to be honest, so I can’t compare them. I know them all but I don’t know exactly who is in contention to be the No.9 for Italy and who is not,” continued Klopp.

“But for a specific way of play, I think he is a fantastic option. A really focused player who can bring the ball down and give time to push up. He is a threat in the box. It’s a really interesting package. He made a big difference in that game, but we also didn’t make it too difficult for him, so we should make it more difficult for him tomorrow [today]. Did he score against us when he was at West Ham?”

The answer was no.

“Look, so…we played twice against him, and we defended well, so let’s see what we can do tomorrow [today],” concluded Klopp.

Scamacca joined Atalanta from West Ham last summer and has scored 14 goals in 34 appearances across all competitions this season.

The 25-year-old netted eight times in 27 West Ham appearances in 2022-23.

Italy CT Luciano Spalletti didn’t call him up for games against Venezuela and Ecuador last month. Scamacca has one goal – against England – in 15 appearances with the Azzurri.

The rise of Gianluca Scamacca and three other strikers in Serie A this season gives Luciano Spalletti and Italy options ahead of this summer’s European Championship.

The 25-year-old Scamacca has been on fire for Atalanta in recent weeks, scoring six goals in his last five appearances across the league and Europa League, including two at Anfield in the first leg of the quarter-finals against Liverpool.

Italy are gearing up for a key European Championship in Germany in the summer, needing to put on a resounding response on the international stage after failing to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. One issue that has continued to concern fans in recent years is their source of goals.

The Azzurri have famously struggled to find a reliable number nine since the downturn of Mario Balotelli’s career, with various options over the years like Graziano Pelle, Ciro Immobile, Andrea Belotti and more, but now things are starting to change.

Scamacca and more for Italy

Scamacca has started to hit a rich vein of form at the right time and if he can keep this up then it seems likely that he could feature prominently for Italy in this summer’s tournament. As of now, he’s only netted one goal in 15 caps for the national team, needing to prove himself.

Another striker floated as an exciting option for the Azzurri is Genoa’s Mateo Retegui, who has already netted four times across six appearances, already doing enough to establish himself in Spalletti’s plans.

Whilst it may be a risk, Udinese’s Lorenzo Lucca could also be in with a shot of securing a spot in the Italy squad for Euro 2024. The 23-year-old has never made an appearance for the senior side but has netted eight goals across 32 games for an incredibly lacklustre Udinese this term.

Finally, there’s Andrea Pinamonti; the 24-year-old Sassuolo striker has shined in Reggio-Emilia this term, despite the Neroverdi’s disastrous form, scoring 11 goals across 34 appearances. He recently reiterated his hunger to break into the Azzurri squad, and he may be in with a shot.

Guglielmo Vicario and Destiny Udogie failed to impress for Tottenham in a 4-0 loss to Newcastle on Saturday, while Nicolò Zaniolo pulled off a MOTM performance in Aston Villa’s win over Jorginho’s Arsenal.

Several Italian players, most of whom will likely feature in the Italy squad at Euro 2024, were involved in the latest Premier League round, and the most successful was surely ex-Roma winger Zaniolo, who was voted by Aston Villa fans as their MOTM in a 2-0 away win at Arsenal.

The stats don’t say all about Zaniolo’s performance in London. The Italian finished the game with 70% passing accuracy and won six duels from 15 but even coach Unai Emery was impressed with his attitude and praised the Galatasaray loanee after the game.

Zaniolo has made six appearances under new Italy coach Luciano Spalletti, and his solid performance against Arsenal consolidated his chances to be part of the Azzurri squad at the Euros.

Italians in EPL round-up: Spurs stars flop

Zaniolo’s compatriot Jorginho, on the other hand, was introduced as a substitute just before Aston Villa’s goals and Mikel Arteta was blamed by English pundits, including Arsenal legend Paul Merson, for not starting the Italian Regista.

It was a pretty disappointing weekend for Vicario and Udogie. Both Tottenham stars failed to impress in a 4-0 loss against Newcastle on Saturday. English media noted that Vicario could have done more to avoid the Magpies’ third goal, while Udogie lost a duel in the first half, paving the way for the hosts’ opener.

Italy Euro 2020 winner Emerson Palmieri played 90 minutes in a 2-0 loss to Fulham but won eight duels from 11 and finished the game with 82% passing accuracy. On the other hand, Angelo Ogbonna was an unused substitute for the Hammers.

Last but not least, Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton were held to an away 1-1 draw by Burnley on Saturday and remain tenth in the Premier League table with 44 points, six below Manchester United in 7th.

Ex-Inter defender Marco Materazzi praises his friend and ‘pupil’ Gianluca Mancini and feels the Roma defender should be a starter for Italy at Euro 2024 alongside Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi.

Materazzi is Mancini’s idol and role model. They’ve known each other for a long time, and the ex-Inter defender spoke about his ‘pupil’ in his latest interview with Gazzetta. First, Materazzi explained why he didn’t text the Roma defender after seeing him score against Lazio in Serie A and Milan in the Europa League quarter-finals.

“I don’t text him too much. I don’t think it’s needed, especially when you have a solid relationship like ours,” Materazzi said.

“I’m simply happy with his journey; he is deservedly reaping the rewards.”

When was the first time they met?

“He was playing for Perugia, another thing we have in common,” Materazzi revealed.

“Renzo Luchini, the legendary massage therapist, called me and said, ‘There is a guy who goes crazy for you. He even got the number 23 tattooed.’ I went out to meet him and gave him my shirt. It all started from there. I saw a special light. Now, he is a Romanista, but at that time, he only had eyes for Inter.”

Roma will play the second leg in Rome against Milan next week with a one-goal lead and fans are wondering how to get Europa League tickets given that the Olimpico will surely be sold out again.

“Even if he [Mancini] creates controversies and is divisive sometimes, he doesn’t change,” continued Materazzi.

“His fans love him, and the rivals hate me—just like it happened to me. It’s a quality; it means to be real. And he’s a good guy anyway. Never confuse what happens on the pitch with what goes on off the field.

“With time and experience, you can correct some errors but don’t talk to me about that Lazio flag. It was a mockery that ended there; blowing it out of proportion is useless. I would have said the same thing if a Lazio player had done it to him.”

What do they have in common?

“We don’t hide, and we fear nobody. I am left-footed, and he is right-footed. I am technically stronger, and he is faster. We would have formed a complete defensive partnership.”

Does Mancini play differently now that Daniele De Rossi is in charge?

“I see no difference; he gives his best regardless of who is around him,” Materazzi replied.

“When there are big changes, a player can lose certainties, but that’s not his case. He even played with a leg with Mourinho, and he deserved the captain’s armband.”

Should Mancini be part of the Italy squad at Euro 2024?

“Let’s start by saying that we are in a good position with excellent central defenders,” argued Materazzi a 2006 Italy World Cup winner.

“Gianluca was not called up for the last Euros but he deserved it. It was the biggest disappointment, but he found the strength to react from that moment. I see him as a starter at the Euros alongside Alessandro Bastoni and Francesco Acerbi.”