Italy coach Spalletti makes Scamacca admission ahead of Euro 2024

Italy CT Luciano Spalletti admits it will be ‘difficult’ not to call up Gianluca Scamacca at Euro 2024 and insists the Atalanta striker has started in key games for the Azzurri during his tenure.

Scamacca was not called up in March for international friendlies against Venezuela and Ecuador, probably due to disciplinary reasons.

However, the Atalanta star has been the most prolific Italian striker in the last two months and Spalletti confirmed on Tuesday that it would be difficult not to include the 25-year-old in the Azzurri squad for the Euros.

“If this is Scamacca, it’s difficult [not to call him up]. I am the one who started him in key games before qualifying [for the Euros],” Spalletti said on Tuesday.

Giacomo Raspadori has started six matches under Spalletti while Mateo Retegui scored a brace in a 2-1 win over Venezuela less than two months ago.

“Retegui has proved to be a [good] footballer and I know Raspadori really well,” said Spalletti.

“Lorenzo Lucca is improving too, and we have potential which can further improve, so we must be ready.”

Spalletti said during the same interview that 70-80% of the Italy squad has already been decided.

“The doubts are those I’ve said. It’s about that little percentage,” he continued.

“We must have doubts until the end. In some cases, there are clear and tidy messages about what these lads can offer. You must see them under pressure and solve some issues in other cases. There is an internal and external environment and we need both to give our best.”

Spalletti was appointed as Italy’s coach in September 2023 and has won five games from eight, drawing twice and losing once.

Scamacca scored his first and only Italy goal under the ex-Napoli coach in his only loss in charge of the Azzurri at Wembley Stadium against England.