WATCH: Gianluigi Buffon rallies the Italian National Team before their fixture against England in the UEFA Euro Qualifiers

Italy lost 2-1 in their previous meeting against England.

WATCH: Gianluigi Buffon rallies the Italian National Team before their fixture against England in the UEFA Euro Qualifiers

Gianluigi Buffon. (Source: via YouTube/@nazionaledicalcio)

Led by Italian legend Gianluigi Buffon, Italy posted a video on their social media, with players shouting, “CHI SIAMO? L’ITALIA!!!” It translates to, “Who we are? Italy!” It’s a message to the current team before their Euro Qualifier against England on October 17.

Italy’s veteran World Cup winners are reminding the new players about the importance of wearing the national jersey. A victory against England could secure a spot in UEFA Euro 2024 for the current champions, ‘Gli Azzurri’. However, with just a few games left, a loss could endanger their qualification, as Ukraine is closing in on third place.

YouTube video

Qualification is vital for the Italian National Team. Their success in the 2021 Euros made many believe that a resurgence was in place for the men in blue. However, a shock defeat to North Macedonia in the World Cup qualifiers meant that the Azzurri’s would not play in the 2022 World Cup, making them the 4th team in football history to win the Euros and then fail to qualify for the World Cup two years later.

FS Video

Italy will also be missing one of their star players Sandro Tonali due to allegations regarding illegal betting activities. The Blues will face the team that knocked them out of the World Cup, North Macedonia, and qualification rivals, Ukraine in November’s edition of the International break.

Related: What is the ‘special’ clause in Xabi Alonso’s current contract that allows him to leave Bayer Leverkusen for FREE in 2024?

Italian National Team’s record in the UEFA European Championship

The victory at Wembley Stadium for Italy on the 11th of July 2021, marked the second time in the Nation’s history of the Azzurri’s European triumph. The last time Italy lifted the trophy was back in 1968 when they beat Yugoslavia at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome with goals coming from Gigi Riva and Pietro Anastasi. 

Giacinto Facchetti
Giacinto Facchetti (Source: via OLYCOM)

Since then Italy has made the finals on two separate occasions, against France in Euro 2000 and Spain in the 2012 edition of the tournament. Italian defender, Leonardo Bonucci holds the record for most appearances in the Euro for Italy with 18, representing the nation on 3 separate occasions. (2012,2016 and 2021).

Mario Balotelli – who has not represented the nation since early 2022 – still holds the record for most goals scored for Italy with 3 making his last Euro appearance in the finals of 2012 against Spain.

The last time Italy won the Euros, they failed to qualify for the subsequent Euro four years later. Now the reigning champions, Italy will hope to not repeat the past and secure qualification.

In case you missed: