Although he maintains that “not many teams are superior” to Spain, Manchester City midfielder Rodri believes Italy is one of the “candidates” to win Euro 2024.
In the group stage of Euro 2024, which also features Croatia and Albania, Spain and Italy will face off.
It will truly be difficult. They are a formidable foe; we played them in the Nations League and at the Euros. Respect must also be shown to Albania. It is going to be difficult, Rodri reiterated to Gazzetta.
The Manchester City midfielder thinks Italy will be one of their toughest opponents in Germany this summer. Italy defeated Spain in the semifinals of the Euro 2020 tournament three years ago.
Man City midfielder Rodri believes Italy is one of the “candidates” to win Euro 2024.
“We made it to the semifinals of the last Euros, but we lost to you [Italy], who went on to win the trophy, on penalties,” he remarked.
We exacted a little retribution in the Nations League a year prior by defeating the Azzurri in the semifinals.
Over the past few years, Italy has seen highs and lows. You won the Euros, but you were not selected for the World Cup twice. Italy is still a formidable team, the Spanish midfielder went on.
It’s true that the coach has changed, but the traits remain the same. strong and aggressive. It’s one of those teams that rarely scores a lot of goals, but they still deserve respect. Italy is one of the contenders, in my opinion.
Tonight, Tuesday, June 4, Italy plays Turkey in an international friendly. This coming Thursday, Spalletti will announce the final 26-man squad selection for the competition.
Rodri is optimistic that Spain, who has won three times in the Euros, would win the championship this summer.
“Maybe we’re not the favourites, but we know where we can go, so we’re going to Germany to get even closer to the top,” he remarked.
We have to put in more work and run more than a provincial squad. We can do amazing things if we adopt this mindset. We know we have what it takes to succeed, so we will go to the Euros determined to win. We believe that we are the greatest team inside, and there aren’t many teams that are better outside of us. I think today’s football has a great balance, and games are won by slim margins.
On June 20, Italy and Spain will play each other in the second group stage match in Gelsenkirchen’s Veltins Arena. The Azzurri will play two friendlies against Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina in order to prepare for the championship before making their debut on June 15 against Albania at Euro 2024.
