Italy’s national team faced a significant setback as Giorgio Scalvini was ruled out of the European Championship due to tearing his ACL during the closing moments of Atalanta’s last match of the season. The 20-year-old defender was visibly emotional as he was taken off the field just five minutes before the end of Atalanta’s 3-2 loss to Fiorentina. The subsequent tests confirmed the severity of the injury, revealing a torn ligament in his left knee. This unfortunate event has left a void in Italy’s defensive lineup as they prepare to defend their Euro title.
With Scalvini out of contention, Italy’s provisional squad saw the inclusion of Juventus’ Federico Gatti as his replacement. Gatti, who has already represented Italy three times since his debut in 2022, was on standby following the withdrawal of Inter defender Francesco Acerbi due to a groin injury. The 25-year-old Gatti now finds himself thrust into a crucial role within the national team, as they gear up for the upcoming tournament.
Scalvini was expected to join the Italy squad along with teammate Gianluca Scamacca, but his injury has reshuffled the team’s dynamics. Gatti, having been alerted by Italy coach Luciano Spalletti of a potential call-up, has been diligently preparing at the Italy training headquarters in Coverciano. The 20-year-old’s absence now means that three players will have to be cut from the squad by Thursday, adding further pressure to the team selection process.
As Euro 2024 looms closer, Italy faces the daunting task of defending their title against tough opponents. The tournament, set to commence in Germany on June 14th, will see Italy play their opening match against Albania in Dortmund the following day. Group B, which also includes Spain and Croatia, promises to test Italy’s resolve as they strive to maintain their championship status.
Before departing for Germany, Italy is scheduled to play warmup matches against Turkey and Bosnia-Herzegovina. These fixtures will provide Italy with valuable playing time and allow them to fine-tune their strategies ahead of the challenging tournament. The team’s preparation and adaptability will be key factors in determining their success in Euro 2024.
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