UEFA Euro 2024 Group B Expectations: Spain, Italy, Croatia & Albania ⚽ | ESPN FC

Navas & Cucurella, Nacho & Le Normand? Oh boy, teams are gonna have fun with that defense.

Agree with Craig. Spain will dominate all these teams. They just need finishing.

Spain are seen as outsiders tomorrow win the EUROs and while this is a relatively young squad, I expect them to at least make it deep into the tournament whether it’s the semifinals or the quarterfinals. As we saw in the last World Cup where there were so many upsets, nothing is guaranteed and international football particularly major tournaments are very predictable, Spain has too much talent to not top the group. Despite containing the likes of Croatia and Italy, many people expect them to top their group and that would allow them to get a favorable draw in the RD of 16 and they’ll avoid having to play against a country like France or Germany for example.

Despite the players getting older, there’s a feeling that Croatia will finish 2nd in the group and I don’t know what it is about them in major tournaments, they’re a team that can’t be slept upon at all and they’ve shown that level of courage and determination meaning that they have to be taken seriously and while Italy aren’t the same team they were in 2021 when they won this tournament, they have enough in them to make it out of the group as well. Between the 3 countries it might be very close and it’s probably the only Group of Death at the EUROs, Spain will win the group and either Italy or Croatia will advance to the RD of 16 or even both of them.

Spain may go all the way to final but won't win it. On the other hand could exit in group stage cause this group is very tough. They sure can hold the ball and pass it around but will they be able to score enough and keep other teams from scoring on them, that's the question. Imo humble opinion they will make the quarterfinals. Italia 2 scenarios, pessimistic is round of 16 exit and optimistic a semifinal but definitely advances from group like Spain. However, team that no expert talks about much until they go through stronger on paper teams in knockout stages (often via pen shootouts) one after another is Croatia. I expect Croats to do well in the big tournament again (as per usual)

Gab, always bending the knee with the English media, grow some stones! Defending champs, solid pedigree, forget the “big names”, let the heart and grit take over, Italy always has quality! Let’s goo!!!

Spain defensers not solid

It wont matter…we know for a fact win/lose/or draw these guys/sports media will only cover and talk about SPAIN and ITALY. They used to talk more about Italy when they didn't even make the tournament last time than actual teams in it like Croatia and etc.

All these prem faces have no idea what they are talking about

For Italy there are 5 Inter players: Bastoni, Di Marco, Darmian, Barella, Frattesi (Acerbi is injured) that will be the core of this team, with other expert players like Chiesa, Jorginho, Mancini, Cristante, Pellegrini, Di Lorenzo, Donnarumma and then other younger players like Scamacca, Fagioli, Retegui, Raspadori, Calafiori, Buongiorno,…

Lineups: 3-4-2-1
Donnarumma
Darmian-Buongiorno-Bastoni
Di Marco-Pellegrini-Jorginho-Di Lorenzo
Barella-Chiesa
Scamacca

Albania will surprise all of you stupid journalists..🇦🇱💪👑

Like when are these pundits going to learn their lesson to not underestimate Croatia?
Sure, the midfield has been the same for nearly a decade but I'd say that's more of a strength than a weakness nowadays when everyone is experimenting with their midfields.

England is an average squad headed by tactically deficient coach. Nothing good will come out of them as usual. The over hyping of England by their media will fall flat in their faces.

And at the End Albania will end up being the Costa Rica of this Euros… Their Squad is actually quite Decent and people seem to forget that this will be a Home Tournament for them. In Terms of Atmosphere, nothing will top Croatia against Albania in Hamburg

looking back at history for death group, ususally there is a team going to shock you which this time is Albania. just saying

Italy have an incredibly mediocre side with a serious inability to score goals, plus, which is unusual for them, they don't have world-class defenders at the back, they aren't the worst, but they aren't the Cannavaros and Nestas of this world either. You can not help but think this will be a disappointing Euros for them and there is only a tiny chance they will successfully defend their title.
Spain also are a far-cry from previous teams, which is fine because they set the bar extremely high, but this current squad doesn't even come remotely close to it. There's some experience there, some talented younger players, some depth, but overall not enough to successfully survive this tough group and then win four grueling elimination matches in a fairly short time span and become Euro champions. Perhaps this may've been possible with Luis Enrique, whom I rate as coach, with De La Fuente absolutely no chance.

Everyone’s hating on Italy and admittedly this is a much weaker side than the previous Euros. We’re not gonna win it. That said, this group is wide open. The truth is, none of these teams are at their best right now except Albania. Italy, Spain, and Croatia are all powerhouse teams historically but all three of them are in transition right now. Spain has a great batch of young players but a lot of them are too inexperienced and their attackers are very average like Italy’s. While Croatia has been very formidable in recent years, they’re on the downswing much like Belgium. Croatia has an aging squad. I say all of this to say that the combination of these three teams being in transition and everyone counting out Albania I can very much see this group ending in multiple ways. I would not be shocked to see Italy top this group, nor would I be shocked to see them not make it out. The same goes for everyone else. Any of these teams can make it out and any of these teams can be eliminated. Also, due to the competitiveness of this group, I can see this being one of the groups where the 3rd place team does not go through. This could end: 1. Italy 2. Spain 3. Croatia 4. Albania OR 1. Croatia 2. Spain 3. Italy 4. Albania OR 1. Spain 2. Italy 3. Albania 4. Croatia OR 1. Italy 2. Croatia 3. Albania 4. Spain OR 1. Croatia 2. Albania 3. Italy 4. Spain. Lol but seriously though. I hope/think, without being totally biased, it will be: 1. Spain 2. Italy 3. Croatia 4. Albania. With the top 3 all level on 5 points. I see Albania putting up a good fight in every match but still losing all through, just not getting blown out. Then, the other three teams will all play conservatively against each other and do enough to ensure the three of them get out of the group. All the games between Italy, Spain, and Croatia will end 1-1 or 0-0. They’ll all tie each other and all pick up three points against Albania. That’s what’s most likely going to happen with spots 1-3 basically being decided by who scores the most against Albania. And even that will be tough A. Bc Albania aren’t pushovers and B. None of these teams have the fire power right now to score 4-5 goals against Albania. It’ll all be like Italy 2-0 Albania, Spain 1-0 Albania, Croatia 2-0 Albania. Then, those top three places will have to come down to the next tiebreakers.

Easily the group with best teams. How Spain, Croatia, and Italy ended up in the same group is beyond ridiculous.

Spain's backline is a problem tho