Federico Chiesa, the 26-year-old Juventus winger, may find himself starting on the bench for Italy’s crucial Euro 2024 group stage match against Croatia. Manager Luciano Spalletti is contemplating this change as Chiesa has struggled to perform consistently at the European Championship in Germany.
Mixed Performances at Euro 2024
Chiesa’s form has been inconsistent throughout the tournament. Despite earning the Man of the Match award in Italy’s victory over Albania, he failed to make an impact in the subsequent defeat to Spain, where he was substituted after 64 minutes. This inconsistency has cast doubt on his starting role for the decisive clash against Croatia. The pressure is mounting as Italy needs a strong performance to secure their place in the knockout stages.
Season of Struggles and Transfer Speculations
The current season has been challenging for Chiesa, who has not fully recovered his form since suffering a cruciate ligament injury in January 2022. With numerous uncertainties surrounding his future at Juventus, a potential move during the summer transfer window seems plausible. These struggles and speculations further complicate his situation as Italy prepares for their must-win encounter. Rumors suggest that Chiesa’s future at Juventus is in jeopardy, and a change of scenery might be on the horizon.
Spalletti’s Tactical Considerations
According to Corriere dello Sport, Spalletti is weighing the option of using Chiesa as a substitute rather than starting him against Croatia. The idea is to introduce the winger in the final 30 minutes of the game, which might prove more effective given his current form and fitness. Should Chiesa start, it would mark his third start in nine days, a demanding schedule for a player still working to regain his peak performance levels. Spalletti believes that a fresher Chiesa could make a significant impact in the latter stages of the match, potentially providing the spark Italy needs to advance.
Italy’s Do or Die Situation
The upcoming match against Croatia is critical for Italy, as they must secure a positive result to progress in Euro 2024. The team’s performance has been under intense scrutiny, and Spalletti’s decision on whether to start Chiesa could be pivotal. With high stakes and immense pressure, every tactical decision will be crucial in determining Italy’s fate in the tournament. The squad is aware that their performance against Croatia could define their campaign, making the need for strategic planning and execution more important than ever.
