Italy’s title defence began with a bang, ends with a whimper

By Trevor Stynes

Defending champions Italy were never among the favourites coming into Euro 2024, but nobody predicted just how poor they would be, and they leave the tournament having surrendered their crown with barely a whimper.

Italy surprised many three years ago when they won the European Championship, but they leave Germany without ever having looked capable of making a mark, at least not a positive one.

In the round of 16 on Saturday, Luciano Spalletti’s side came up against a confident...