On Sunday evening, the French national team played their final preparation match before the start of Euro 2024 against Canada (0-0). As finalists of the last World Cup, the French team is considered one of the favorites, but PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma has pointed out that Italy, the reigning champions, should not be overlooked.
While Italy did not qualify for the last World Cup, they are the most recent nation to win the Euro. The French team is naturally favored as World Cup finalists in Qatar, but Kylian Mbappé and his teammates will need to be wary of the Squadra Azzurra, as their captain Gianluigi Donnarumma emphasized after their victory against Bosnia-Herzegovina (1-0) on Sunday.
“There are some very strong teams, but as always, facing Italy will never be easy,” Donnarumma stated. “Is Mbappé’s France the favorite, or should Italy be, considering they are the reigning champions? There are some very strong teams, but as always, facing Italy will never be easy. It will be difficult for them as well. We have a tough group, these are games to be played with an open mind and we are going in full force. We will take it one game at a time.”
“We are approaching this competition with the right energy,” Donnarumma assured that Italy is ready just days before the start of Euro 2024. “We are approaching this competition with the right energy, as you should approach a competition like this. There is no need to find energy from outside, when you play these competitions, they come naturally. Of course, you have to work, everyone knows that you have to give 110% to get to the end and give emotion to all Italians.”
