Italy boss Luciano Spalletti makes 'ugly' demand ahead of crucial Euro 2024 showdown

Jun 24, 2024 05:45

Luciano Spalletti wants Italy to embrace their ugly side against Croatia (Image: Getty)

Luciano Spalletti wants Italy to embrace the ugly side of the game in their bid to escape Group B. The Azzurri face Croatia in Leipzig today and a draw would be enough for a spot in the knockout stages of Euro 2024.

Defeat to Spain last time out was sealed by a Riccardo Calafiori own goal, but Luis de la Fuente’s side were worth more than the 1-0 scoreline after running rings around Italy.

Reflecting on his side’s performance in Gelsenkirchen, Spalletti does not want to give Croatia’s playmakers the freedom to hurt them in the way Spain’s did.

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“After a game like that, there is the notion and the idea to try and change the team a little bit,” he said. “Now that we’ve noticed there’s a bit of fatigue and rust, we certainly will change things.

“We’ll change our approach in some ways. We’ll try and have as much substance out there as possible. We’ll try and play uglier but have greater substance so they can’t tap into their ability.

“But we want to play in their half of the pitch and not sit on the edge of our penalty area. They’ve got players that can shoot from distance and play between the lines.”

Monday's clash with Italy could be Luka Modric's final game for Croatia (Image: Getty)

Italy sit second in the group largely thanks to a comeback win over Albania last weekend, while Croatia are winless and scrapping for survival in fourth place. Taking three points from Italy would see Croatia manager Zlatko Dalic guide his ageing squad to the last 16, barring an unexpected victory for Albania against Spain.

He may require a masterclass from his captain and talisman, Luka Modric, who could be playing his last major tournament for Croatia. Two more of the nation’s most experienced campaigners - Marcelo Brozovic and Ivan Perisic - are well-known to Spalletti, who managed them both at Inter Milan.

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And the Italy boss admits he has kept in touch with the duo as he prepares to try and end their tournament at the Leipzig Stadium.

“They’ve got stamina, quality, experience,” he said. “They have absolutely everything you need to make a team play good football. They’re also getting on a bit. They’re experienced, but they’re of a certain age. They are excellent footballers and I have fond memories of them during my time at Inter.

“We’re on very good terms. We occasionally still text one another. I still love them just as I did when they were my players. I’m looking forward to seeing them again. I really believe they will try and make life hard for us, but that’s what football is all about. They’re two wonderful men and two excellent footballers.”

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Italy boss Luciano Spalletti makes 'ugly' demand ahead of crucial Euro 2024 showdown