Defending champions Italy are in a dog fight to qualify

The opening montages of Euro 2024 are certain to include some recent history.

- JAMIE BRAIDWOOD

The chiselled Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini standing as Italy's hard-faced defensive wall. The towering Gianluigi Donnarumma diving to save a penalty down low to his left. Roberto Mancini, in a crisp white shirt, draped in the Italian flag and holding the trophy on the Wembley pitch. Italy as European champions.

It may only be three years ago but so much has changed since beating England on penalties. Mancini is long gone and Bonucci and Chiellini have retired from celebrating blocks and last-ditch clearances. In Germany, Italy are playing under the shadow of history: of their triumph at the last Euros and their victory at the 2006 World Cup, the last major tournament to be held in the country. But Italy are not being talked about as potential winners. Rather, they are hardly being talked about at all.

Now, a fresh, inexperienced squad is what remains after the turmoil of Italy’s reign as European champions. Failure to qualify for the 2022 World Cup spelled the end for Mancini. His departure to Saudi Arabia two weeks after stepping down from the Azzurri brought a messy end to a partnership that had brought all of a record 37-game unbeaten run, a famous night at Wembley and spectacular failure following the shock World Cup play-off defeat to North Macedonia.