Why France won’t underestimate Italy at Euro 2024 | OneFootball

It is safe to say that France won’t underestimate Italy at Euro 2024 and not only because the Azzurri won the last edition of the tournament in 2021.

The rivalry between Italy and France is one of the fiercest in football, yet coaches and players deeply respect each other as emerged during recent interviews.

France may be one of the favourites to win Euro 2024, as suggested by crypto betting sites, but their coach truly respects the Azzurri.

Didier Deschamps spoke with La Gazzetta dello Sport about the upcoming Euros; and when asked if he feared the Azzurri despite their lack of top-class footballers, his reply was that of a real gentleman.

“It’s a harsh judgement. Italy won the Euros with the strength of their group,” said the ex-Juventus midfielder.

“Perhaps, in the past, there were at least a couple of top-class players, but you still have excellent footballers and some interesting youth. Despite not qualifying for the last two World Cup editions, Italy remain highly competitive.”

Deschamps knows Italian football very well. Not only did he play for several years at Juventus, winning the Champions League in 1996, but many members of his France team currently play in Italy’s top flight.

Marcus Thuram and Benjamin Pavard have just won the Serie A title with Inter against their compatriots and city rivals Theo Hernandez, Mike Maignan and Olivier Giroud.

Thuram has been one of the best strikers in the league this term, and the France coach has high expectations of him at the Euros.

“Marcus can play everywhere in attack,” continued Deschamps.

“He doesn’t have the same characteristics as Giroud, but he can become his heir. Even if it will be Giroud’s last European Championship, it will be important to rely on his experience.”

Deschamps’ latest interview is very similar to one released by his compatriot Pavard only a few weeks ago.

The ex-Bayern Munich defender, who has already become an Inter idol, said about Italy in May: “They must not be underestimated. Spalletti is very good and he did well at Napoli. He has great footballers, some of whom play with me at Inter.”

France beat Italy in the 1998 World Cup quarter-finals and in the Euro 2000 Final, but the Azzurri emerged victorious in the 2006 World Cup Final and won the last edition of the European Championships, beating Austria, Belgium, Spain and England in the knock-out phase.

Italy are rarely favourites in major international competitions, but four World Cups and two European Championships suggest the Azzurri can cause trouble for everyone when they are on their day, and France is well aware of it.