Italy, the defending champion, reveals provisional 30-player squad for Euro 2024

Italian striker Gianluca Scamacca has earned a spot in Italy’s provisional squad for Euro 2024 after a stellar end to the season. Coach Luciano Spalletti made the announcement on Thursday, praising Scamacca for his impressive performance in recent months.

Scamacca’s inclusion comes after he scored 11 goals and provided four assists for Atalanta, helping the team secure their historic Europa League triumph. The 25-year-old’s form has been exceptional, leading Spalletti to believe he can solve Italy’s longstanding issue of finding reliable strikers.

In a surprising move, Spalletti has dropped Ciro Immobile, a key player in Italy’s Euro triumph three years ago, in favor of the in-form Scamacca. The striker will likely partner with Juventus star Federico Chiesa in the attack, with Nicolo Fagioli also making a surprise appearance in the midfield.

Fagioli, who recently returned from a seven-month ban for gambling on football matches, has impressed Spalletti enough to earn a spot in the squad. His inclusion comes at the expense of Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali, who was left out due to a betting scandal.

Italy’s provisional squad for Euro 2024 features a mix of experienced players and young talents, with Spalletti looking to build a competitive team for the upcoming tournament. The final squad will be announced on June 6, with Italy set to face Spain, Croatia, and Albania in Group B.

Before the tournament kicks off on June 14, Italy will play friendlies against Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina to fine-tune their preparations. With Scamacca leading the line, Italian fans will be hoping for a successful campaign in Germany.