Italy’s national football team coach, Luciano Spalletti, has announced plans to adjust his squad ahead of their crucial Euro 2024 group stage match against Croatia in Leipzig on Monday. The Azzurri, currently second in Group B with three points from two games, face a pivotal moment that could determine their fate in the tournament.
Italy began their campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 comeback victory over Albania but suffered a 1-0 defeat to Spain, a match where the scoreline did not reflect Spain’s dominance on the pitch. The back-to-back use of the same starting lineup in both games has sparked criticism and concern over Spalletti’s tactical decisions.
“Of course, after a game like that, there is the notion and the idea to change the team a little bit,” Spalletti acknowledged. “I probably made mistakes in not mixing things up quicker in terms of the performance we produced, but I thought it would be a gamble to tweak anything.”
Recognizing signs of fatigue and the need for fresh energy, Spalletti is set to make strategic changes against Croatia. “Now that we have noticed that there is a bit of fatigue and rust in terms of results, we certainly will change things,” he stated.
Croatia, sitting at the bottom of the group with one point after a heavy 3-0 loss to Spain and a 2-2 draw with Albania, are not without hope. A victory over Italy, coupled with an Albanian win against Spain, could dramatically shift the group standings, potentially sending Italy out of the competition.
Commenting on the high stakes of the upcoming match, Spalletti emphasized the importance of action over words. “There are certain matches which ultimately dictate whether it’s been a great tale or a tale to forget,” he said. “Talk is cheap; you’ve got to go out there and walk the walk. We said things we weren’t able to exhibit against Spain. We need to walk the walk and leave talk to one side.”
As the tension builds, fans across Europe and beyond are eagerly anticipating a thrilling encounter that could reshape the dynamics of Group B. The outcome will not only impact Italy’s journey in Euro 2024 but also resonate with football enthusiasts following the tournament’s unfolding drama.
Reference(s):
Italy will make changes to advance at Euro 2024, coach Spalletti says
cgtn.com
