da luck： The defending champions have had an up-and-down last few years, so do they have enough quality to retain their continental crown this summer?

da 888： Italy couldn't do it again, could they? The Azzurri stunned England at Wembley to win Euro 2020 and are targeting an even bigger upset in Germany this summer. Once again, Italy are still coming to terms with missing out on World Cup qualification, but whereas it was clear ahead of the last European Championship that they were becoming a real force under Roberto Mancini, there are serious questions over the strength of the current squad.

There are no doubts over the quality of the coach, of course. Indeed, in Luciano Spalletti, Italy couldn't have hoped to find a better replacement for Mancini, who sensationally quit his post less than a year ago, before promptly taking charge of Saudi Arabia.

It was Spalletti who masterminded Napoli's stunning Serie A title triumph last season and, despite taking over just before the conclusion of the campaign, he managed to get his country his Germany by pipping Ukraine to second spot in England's group.

However, Spalletti has nothing like the same quality at his disposal as he had at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, particularly from an offensive perspective, so it's essential that he makes the absolute most of the resources at his disposal if Italy are to have any chance of holding onto their European crown.

So, who has made Italy's Euro 2024 squad? And who's likely to start for the Azzurri in Germany? GOAL breaks it all down below…

(C)Getty ImagesGOALKEEPERS

Gigi Donnarumma continues to have his ups and downs at Paris Saint-Germain, but he remains Italy's undisputed No.1. The 25-year-old was sensational during the Azzurri's Euro 2020 victory, resulting in him becoming the first goalkeeper to win the Player of the Tournament award, and he will be just as crucial to his country's hopes of success this time around.

Indeed, an injury to Donnarumma would be a disaster for Italy, given Alex Meret has just three caps to his name and Guglielmo Vicario only one.

Gigi DonnarummaParis Saint-GermainAlex Meret NapoliGuglielmo VicarioTottenhamAdvertisementGettyDEFENDERS

Spalletti's former captain at Napoli, Giovanni Di Lorenzo, will obviously have a major role to play, whether at right-back or centrally as part of a three-man defence, while Inter duo Federico Dimarco and Alessandro Bastoni are almost certain to start. Francesco Acerbi would most likely have featured in Spalletti's first 11, too, but the veteran was forced to withdraw through injury, meaning opportunity knocks for another centre-back.

Alessandro Buongiorno is certainly a strong contender to take Acerbi's place. The Torino centre-back gave away a penalty in the March friendly against Venezuela but was immense in the crucial qualifier draw with Ukraine, in what was just his second cap.

Gianluca Mancini has also come back into the frame, but don't rule out Riccardo Calafiori, the converted full-back who was a revelation at centre-half this season for Serie A's surprise package, Bologna.

Elsewhere, the loss of Tottenham left-back Destiny Udogie to injury has created room for the uncapped but versatile Andrea Cambiaso. On the opposite side, Matteo Darmian is 34 now but represents a solid option – perhaps even on the right-side of a three-man defence, although Raoul Bellanova is the more likely starter if Spalletti plays with wing-backs, given the Torino man was hugely impressive in the friendly against Ecuador.

Alessandro BastoniInterRaoul BellanovaTorinoAlessandro BuongiornoTorinoRiccardo CalafioriBolognaAndrea CambiasoJuventusMatteo DarmianInterFederico DimarcoInterGiovanni Di LorenzoNapoliFederico GattiJuventusGianluca ManciniRomaGetty ImagesMIDFIELDERS

Jorginho's return to form at Arsenal is excellent news for Italy because the 32-year-old is expected to anchor a midfield that will, fitness-permitting, also feature the dynamic Nicolo Barella, who scored a great goal against Ecuador.

After that, it pretty much depends on whether Spalletti opts to play his usual 4-3-3 or embraces the 3-4-2-1 formation he experimented with during the March internationals. Whatever he does, Lorenzo Pellegrini should be involved, given his fine form for club and country, and his ability to play in a midfield three or as a more advanced attacking midfielder playing off a striker.

Elsewhere, Davide Frattesi isn't a regular at Inter but has developed a very nice knack of scoring for the national team, meaning he could easily force his way into the first team, while Nicolo Fagioli has been included despite making his one and only previous appearance for Italy all the way back in November 2022 – as well as missing almost the entire season through suspension after being banned for illegal betting activity.

Roma's Bryan Cristante was always likely to be included in the travelling party but Michael Folorunsho was something of a bolter, with the Napoli-owned midfielder sneaking into the squad after a good season on loan to Verona.

Nicolo BarellaInterBryan CristanteRomaNicolo FagioliJuventusMichael FolorunshoVeronaDavide FrattesiInterJorginhoArsenalLorenzo PellegriniRomaGettyFORWARDS

Once again, attack is Italy's major weak point. They simply do not have a world-class No.9. Gianluca Scamacca has just one goal in 15 appearances for his country but, in fairness, to the Atalanta attacker, he has responded well to being dropped for the March internationals and has been recalled for the Euros.

At one point, Giacomo Raspadori seemed the man most likely to lead the line in Germany, but he's probably been overtaken in the pecking order by Mateo Retegui, the naturalised Argentinian (further evidence of Italy's desperate search for a striker!) who joined Genoa from Boca Juniors last year and has already netted four times in seven appearances for his adopted nation.

Given the lack of quality options at No.9, the Azzurri desperately need winger Federico Chiesa to recapture his Euro 2020 form, while Spalletti could also do with Roma's painfully inconsistent Stephan El Shaarawy proving his worth too.

Indeed, the way is most definitely clear for someone to emerge as an unlikely hero in Germany, maybe even Lazio winger Mattia Zaccagni, who had made the squad ahead of Bologna's Riccardo Orsolini.

Federico ChiesaJuventusStephan El ShaarawyRomaGiacomo RaspadoriNapoliMateo ReteguiGenoaGianluca ScamaccaAtalantaMattia ZaccagniLazio