Euro 2024

Euro 2024 Fantasy team previews: Italy

Our Euro 2024 Fantasy team previews continue with Italy.

The Azzurri head into the tournament as defending champions but have plenty to prove after failing to qualify for the last two World Cups.

In these country-by-country guides, we’ll be looking at the best players from each nation, taking a stab at predicted line-ups, reviewing the road to Germany and more.

To do this, we’ll be calling on the help of correspondents from each country.

Here, we hear from Fantasy Football Scout’s very own Gianni Buttice.

All prices given are from the official Fantasy Euro 2024 game.

THE ROAD TO QUALIFICATION

PosTeamPWDLGFGADiffPts
1England8620224+1820
2Italy8422169+714
3Ukraine8422118+314
4North Macedonia82241020-108
5Malta8008220-180

Despite being holders Italy still had to qualify for Euro 2024 and they made heavy weather of it, avoiding the play-offs by the skin of their teeth.

Italy’s rocky road to Germany was not helped by Roberto Mancini abandoning ship for the lucre of Saudi Arabia with his side lying third in their qualifying group after two matches.

With Italy having lost to England and beaten Malta, Luciano Spalletti took over for the remainder of the campaign, engineering three wins and two draws and suffering another defeat at the hands of Gareth Southgate’s side.

The second win of Spalletti’s tenure, the 2-1 victory over Ukraine, proved crucial because it meant a draw in the reverse fixture, in the final group game, would suffice to see them through courtesy of their superior head-to-head record against Serhiy Rebrov’s men.

It went down to the wire, though, and a nervy 0-0 draw was only sealed with the help of a controversial decision by referee Jesus Gil Manzano, who elected not to award a penalty for a late challenge by Bryan Cristante (€5.5m) on Mykhailo Mudryk (€7m).

That proved a massive relief for an Azzurri side traumatised by back-to-back play-off defeats that had cost them a place in the last two World Cup finals.

Italy often labour to qualify for tournaments but once there they are a force to be reckoned with. Few expected them to win their second European Championships last time around but they did it the hard way thanks to penalty shootout wins over Spain and England.


QUALIFICATION IN NUMBERS

  • Most starts: Gianluigi Donnarumma (8)
  • Most goals: Davide Frattesi (3)
  • Most assists: Nicolo Barella (3)
  • Clean sheets: 3 from 8

RECORD SINCE QUALIFYING

DateCompetitionOppositionResultScoreGoalscorersAssists
21 MarchFriendlyVenezuela (a)W2-1Retegui x2Cambiaso, Jorginho
24 MarchFriendlyEcuador (a)W2-0Pellegrini, BarellaOrsolini

Since reaching the finals Italy have played two friendly matches in the United States against South American opposition and won both, overcoming Venezuela 2-1 thanks to a Mateo Retegui (€6m) brace and Ecuador 2-0 with strikes by Lorenzo Pellegrini (€7.5m) and Nicolo Barella (€7m).

It’s also worth remembering that Italy beat England on the way to the UEFA Nations League semi-finals in June 2022 where they lost narrowly to Spain, one of their forthcoming Group B opponents.


MOST RECENT INTERNATIONAL LINE-UPS

21/03/2024 – Venezuela (a)

(3-4-2-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Scalvini; Cambiaso (Zaniolo 74), Locatelli (Jorginho 65), Bonaventura (Barella 46), Udogie; Frattesi (Pellegrini 65), Chiesa (Zaccagni 65); Retegui (Raspadori 87)

24/03/2024 – Ecuador (a)

(3-4-2-1): Vicario; Darmian, Mancini, Bastoni; Bellanova (Di Lorenzo 46), Barella, Jorginho (Locatelli 67), Dimarco (Cambiaso 88); Zaniolo (Orsolini 76), Pellegrini (Frattesi 67); Raspadori (Retegui 76)


UPCOMING FIXTURES

DateCompetitionOpposition
4 JuneFriendlyTurkey (h)
9 JuneFriendlyBosnia and Herzegovina (h)

GROUP FIXTURES

Fantasy Euro 2024 complete guide: Best players, squads, team reveals + more 4

  • 15 June: Albania
  • 20 June: Spain
  • 24 June: Croatia

HOW FAR WILL THEY GET?

“Italy are a team in transition and Luciano Spalletti has only been in charge for nine months with eight games under his belt (five wins, two draws and one defeat). In that time, he has used an abundance of players which makes predicting his starting XI so difficult – there are arguably only seven locks in this team who will likely start Matchday 1: Donnarumma, Bastoni, Dimarco, Jorginho, Barella, Pellegrini and Chiesa.

“In the two May friendlies Spalletti switched from a 4-3-3 which he had used in his five previous games to a 3-4-2-1 formation which saw better performances and this will now be the formation he uses for the Euros, in my opinion. Expectations are rarely low from Italy fans but this time around I don’t think many expect too much. Sharing a group with Croatia and Spain is tricky and a quarter-final is probably a realistic hope but an earlier exit wouldn’t be a shock.” – Gianni Buttice


STRENGTHS

“Italy’s main strengths come in their tournament mentality, elite manager and fearless individual talent from the likes of Chiesa, Barella and Dimarco. Italian teams have also performed very well in Europe in the last couple of seasons, which has seen Atalanta win the Europa League, Fiorentina get to the final of the Conference League and three Italian teams in the semi-finals of the Champions League last season.

“Together with Inter’s dominance in Serie A, this team will be full of players flying high with their clubs. Had Acerbi not been injured we could have seen an all-Inter Milan back three (along with Bastoni and Darmian) plus Dimarco at left wing-back and Barella in the middle of the park.” – Gianni Buttice


WEAKNESSES

“Italy’s main weakness is the lack of an elite number nine. Retegui has been Spalletti’s go-to and his contributions have been good (four goals in six) but Scamacca offers a bit more x-factor. Whilst he hasn’t been trusted by the manager, his end-of-season form for Atalanta has been sensational and he looks to have played his way in. At €7m, he could be the best differential in this Italy team.

“Another weakness could be the lack of game time the back three will have played together. There is a good chance Spalletti opts for Buongiorno (only €4.5m) as his central centre-back. The 24-year-old has had a breakthrough season at Torino and could get the nod over Mancini of Roma. Likewise, Darmian v Di Lorenzo at right centre-back is up in the air, as is right wing-back. On the left we know Dimarco will start at wing-back and Bastoni at left centre-back.” – Gianni Buttice


BEST EURO 2024 FANTASY PLAYERS: ITALY

Federico Dimarco at €5m is a potentially a gift. He will be sky-high and offers goal and assist threat with brilliant set-piece delivery too.

“Federico Chiesa would be my second pick. Listed as a €7.5m forward, he always turns it on when he wears the Italian jersey although I would have preferred to see him listed as a midfielder like many other wide forwards.

“Finally, Nicolo Barella (€7m) is one of my favourite players but I have always questioned if he’s a great Fantasy pick. He’s box-to-box but isn’t afraid to shoot when he gets the chance. His technical ability put him up there with the best in the world in his position.” – Gianni Buttice


FAN’S PREDICTED LINE-UP

(3-4-2-1) Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Buongiorno, Bastoni; Bellanova, Barella, Jorginho, Dimarco; Chiesa, Pellegrini; Scamacca


STAY TUNED FOR MORE EURO 2024 COVERAGE!

A reminder that we’ll be covering the European Championship in great detail this summer.

Part of that coverage will be the usual team-by-team guides on all competing 24 nations in Euro 2024.

But we’ll also have team reveals, strategy guides and much more. The official UEFA Fantasy game will be the main game we’re covering, which you read about below:

There’ll also be £500+ worth of prizes if you join our mini-league! Click the below to sign up:

If you want to be part of our coverage and are a fan of one of the countries competing, do get involved via the below:


FPL General’s Gameweek 15 team reveal + transfer plans


40 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 4 Years
    6 months, 12 days ago

    I feel love for Donnarumma in goal. He works hard for the money.

    1. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      That deserves a ban!

      1. Sheffield Wednesday
        • 4 Years
        6 months, 12 days ago

        OK hot stuff

        1. Sheffield Wednesday
          • 4 Years
          6 months, 12 days ago

          Apologies, enough is enough.

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 7 Years
            6 months, 12 days ago

            No more tears. I feel love.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      Your comedy gifts are wasted here I fear.

  2. The Knights Template
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 12 days ago

    I spent a week in Milan once, t’was a fine vacation!

    1. Sheffield Wednesday
      • 4 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      First morning on my recent visit to Amalfi I thought I'd ask around about which defender to get in Euro Fantasy, but before I could ask the question everyone kept saying Buongiorno. They must get asked that question a lot.

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        6 months, 12 days ago

        Sounds like a Knights T made up name

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      Never been to Michigan myself. Glad you enjoyed.

  3. NZREDS
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 12 days ago

    I hope everyone in the UK is sleeping well and looking forward to summer.

    Love,
    NZ

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      Cheers Neville Zablonski!

    2. Men in green tights
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      As Del Boy says sleep is for wimps.
      But Thankyou for thinking of us here in the northern hemisphere.
      🙂

  4. Fulchester's New Centr…
    • 7 Years
    6 months, 12 days ago

    Not sure Dimarco's barber is doing him any favours.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      Tis a head crying out for a great helm!

      1. Fulchester's New Centr…
        • 7 Years
        6 months, 12 days ago

        Yep, strong 13th century vibes.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 11 Years
          6 months, 12 days ago

          That’s not a normal beard either, Shakey, it doesn’t join up with the moustache. No way you’d want him in your team! He’d unnerve all the other players!

          1. Fulchester's New Centr…
            • 7 Years
            6 months, 12 days ago

            True. Better suited to "Guess Who?" than a team sport.

  5. Moxon
    • 10 Years
    6 months, 12 days ago

    Struggling for midfield picks

    I'm happy with Bruno and Wirtz but does anyone have any recommendations to fill the rest?

    1. theodosios
      • 7 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      Kross, Trossard and Simons

    2. saata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      England mids look good. You have to coin toss between Bellingham, Foden and Saka though..

    3. Men in green tights
      • 6 Years
      6 months, 12 days ago

      Rodri , Szobosziai,Jorginho as the good fantasy options.
      Also England mids but I’m keeping away from them to be honest targeting set piece takers and ball recoveries.
      Assume your tactics are WC Matchday 2 and limitless Matchday 3 .

    4. Moxon
      • 10 Years
      6 months, 11 days ago

      Cheers lads - looking at the below now

      Bruno | Foden | Wirtz | Rodri | Jorginho

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 11 days ago

        I like it , I'm just not sure on Jorginho, I've opted for Szoboszlai and Gundog instead

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 11 Years
          6 months, 11 days ago

          Of Foden and Jorg*

          1. Moxon
            • 10 Years
            6 months, 11 days ago

            Good chance of both of your picks being on penalties too!

            1. Dynamic Duos
              • 11 Years
              6 months, 11 days ago

              Yeah and Szoboszlai is on everything else too

        2. BUZZBOMB ♡
          • 9 Years
          6 months, 11 days ago

          Both these are my 2 nailed on mids. Both play early too GW1. Thinking Bruno, Saka/Foden and €7m for other 3.

    5. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 11 days ago

      Have a look at Turkey mids? Georgia conceded more goals than any of the other of the qualifiers, so I might take a punt on... someone, haven't figured that out yet... Çalhanoğlu/Güler maybe

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 11 Years
        6 months, 11 days ago

        Yeah I've looked at these for the Rodri spot, but Guler not nailed is he?

        1. The Mentaculus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 3 Years
          6 months, 11 days ago

          I have no idea yet tbh; waiting for the Turkey article & to see what they do in the friendlies

  6. Dynamic Duos
    • 11 Years
    6 months, 11 days ago

    I'm 95% set now, just may tinker the defence, would you change anyone in defence?

    Verbeuggen Sels
    Mittelstadt Akanji DiMarco Faes Theo
    Wirtz Gundog Rodri Szoboszlai Bruno
    Lukaku Kane Mbappe

    1. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 11 days ago

      Akanji. Switzerland conceded 3 to Belarus, 2 to Kosovo, 2 to Romania, etc. in the most recent of the qualifiers... doesn't look like a defence I want to invest in. And Hungary first up look a decent threat

    2. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 11 days ago

      Depends on your gut. Would rather Dimarco or Grimaldo than Faes or Akanji. Would want Castagne in that Belgium defence too.

  7. sirmorbach
    • 8 Years
    6 months, 11 days ago

    Zinchenko a good pick or plays too deep?

    1. BUZZBOMB ♡
      • 9 Years
      6 months, 11 days ago

      Good 1st 2 fixtures. Head of state and talisman. But I dont see attacking returns. Lunin at €1m cheaper is the route into their defence GWS 1 and 2.

    2. The Mentaculus
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 3 Years
      6 months, 11 days ago

      Okay if you've got a 5.5m hole to fill, but not someone I'd be too excited about. Sudakov, and the 6.5m mid bracket generally, looks preferable if you can squeeze 1m from somewhere.

    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      6 months, 11 days ago

      When Ive seen Ukraine play Zinch is a #10 - Ode Bruno KDB position

    4. Winter_is_coming
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      6 months, 11 days ago

      As Ukrainian I could assure you he is not a good pick. Sudakov have much more impact and threat, while Zinchenko even a rotation threat with Shaparenko.

  8. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    6 months, 11 days ago

    Apologies if already mentioned & for the long post but
    This guy James Ingram secured all top 5 places in last seasons Telegraph Fantasy Football out of 82,000 teams
    You are only allowed 5 teams
    Here's how he did it
    As a Southampton fan, the pre-season was bittersweet, marked by the realisation that my team wouldn't be playing in the Premier League this season. However, having played Telegraph Fantasy Football for three seasons and achieving top-150 finishes every season, I remained optimistic about my prospects for another successful campaign.

    I started the season with Marcus Rashford and Casemiro in my team, but made early switches to Ollie Watkins and Bryan Mbuemo, along with doubling up on Newcastle defenders by GW6, propelling me into the top 400 by GW7 and the top 200 by GW15.

    A key strategy was continuously optimising my team, maximising fixtures while maintaining consistent scorers such as Bukayo Saka, Erling Haaland, William Saliba and Martin Ødegaard. By GW25, I had only used half of my 40 transfers and was ranked in the top 150.

    GW31 was a turning point. I decided to bring in David Raya and three Arsenal defenders for their goalless match against Manchester City. This bold move paid off as Arsenal's defence continued to keep clean sheets, improving my rank significantly. By GW35, all my teams were ranked from 1st to 5th.

    In the final weeks, I strategically split my teams up and with the winning team I used my remaining five transfers on Manchester City players due to their additional fixtures and the FA Cup final. This decision allowed me to extend my lead and end the season with all my teams in the top five positions.

    The final weekend was unforgettable. On Saturday, I confirmed my victory in the Telegraph Fantasy Football league, and on Sunday, Southampton won the play-off final. Winning the league was the culmination of careful planning, timely decisions, and a bit of luck. Now I face the tough decision of whether to include any Southampton players in my team next season.
    I wonder if he plays FPL ?