According to the Spanish newspaper Marca, the Italian national team has undergone a massive transformation just three years after winning the European Championship, as if crossing a 30-year span. On July 11, 2021, at Wembley, Italy triumphed over England in a penalty shootout to claim the European Championship title. Today, the team has been completely revamped, not only with the departure of head coach Mancini, but also with six starting players from the final – Bonucci, Chiellini, Emerson, Verratti, Insigne and Immobile – leaving the national team stage, along with 11 other national team members.
In the 26-man squad under current head coach Spalletti, only nine European Championship winners remain, namely Donnarumma, Di Lorenzo, Jorginho, Chiesa, Cristante, Barella, Raspadori, Bastoni and Meret. The other 17 players are fresh faces, such as Florenzi, Calafiori, Vicario, Bellanova, Gatti, Fagioli, Buongiorno, Cambiaso, Zaccagni, Retegui, etc., unfamiliar to many fans.
Goalkeeper Donnarumma admits: “The team’s turnover is a natural process. While the new faces are fresh, they have experience in international competitions, and they are a source of strength for us.” He also expressed his nostalgia for his former teammates, emphasizing his commitment to rebuilding the team’s former unbreakable team spirit. Italy’s comeback victory over Albania in their group stage opener served as a confidence booster for the team.
However, renowned manager Mourinho is not optimistic about the Italian team’s prospects, dismissing them from the ranks of title contenders, arguing that the team lacks the talent needed to win. Fellow manager Eriksson shared similar doubts.
Spalletti, unconcerned by external criticism, responded: “I have no intention of commenting on external criticism. We will stick to our own judgment, remain confident while staying humble, understanding our position and the challenges ahead. Our team is full of talented players, and the emergence of the young star Calafiori is a testament to this, his potential is limitless.”
As a key figure in the team, Donnarumma was full of confidence before the opening win, stating in an interview: “We are ready, we are here to defend our championship title, we are determined to give our all and fight our way back to the final.”
The new players were equally inspired by this positive attitude, with Scamacca expressing his aspirations: “I dream of following in the footsteps of the legends of the 2020 European Championship and the 2006 World Cup, they made history, and I also want to leave my mark on this green field.”
Despite the significant squad overhaul, Italy remains a force to be reckoned with, embracing the challenge with a new face, ready to continue writing the glorious chapters of the Azzurri.
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