Italy coach Spalletti open to increasing Euro 2024 squad sizes on one condition

Italy coach Luciano Spalletti is open to increasing the size of Euro 2024 squads to 26 as long as coaches can bring 15 players on the bench.

UEFA could decide to increase the number of players for each squad at Euro 2024, going from 23 to 26.

Spalletti shared his view on the matter during a UEFA workshop on Monday involving all the Euro 2024 coaches.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, Spalletti was happy with having 26 players available rather than 23, “as long as they give us the chance to have 15 players on the bench,” the Azzurri boss said.

Italy will face Spain, Albania and Croatia in the group phase.

“We still have time available, but we have already developed the work and we won’t have other windows available.

“We didn’t call up a few young players in March because the U21 was playing in the European qualifiers. A block of 15-16 players who were in the squad in March will come to the Euros, and in this final phase, we’ll evaluate those who will show quality.”

The Azzurri will defend their European champions status in Germany, but Spalletti warned that in order to be competitive, Italy must make a “further step forward.”

“When the competition starts, Italy always give something more.”

Italy beat Venezuela and Ecuador in the latest friendlies played in the USA in March. Mateo Retegui scored a brace in a 2-1 victory over the Vinotinto, while Lorenzo Pellegrini and Nicolò Barella inspired a 2-0 win against Ecuador.