Alvaro Morata predicts that teams qualifying from Group B at Euro 2024 will ‘go far away’ in the competition but warns Italy and Spain about Croatia and Albania.
Italy, Spain, Albania and Croatia will meet in Group B at Euro 2024, and Morata hopes The Azzurri and La Roja will qualify for the knockout stage.
“I hope Italy and Spain qualify, and let me add one thing. Those who go beyond our group will go far away, but it will be tough,” the striker told Gazzetta.
“Croatia have an immense competitive gene. They finished second and third in the last two editions of the World Cup. They went out against us at the Euros, but they could have qualified. Last year, we beat them on penalties in the Nations League. Albania were spectacular in the qualifying group phase. The problem is that we can make no mistakes. If you drop a little, you are immediately under pressure. However, this Spain side has a great group, and Italy won the Euros in 2021 thanks to the group’s strength. It’s the example to follow.”
Morata clearly has a solid bond with Italy, not only because he played for Juventus for four years but also because his wife, Alice Campello, is from Venice.
Talking about Italy and Serie A, Morata confirmed he could have returned to the Peninsula last summer, having received calls from four top clubs in the league.
However, after chatting with Diego Simeone, he decided to remain at Atletico Madrid and extend his contract with the Colchoneros until 2026.
Morata has netted 20 times in 40 appearances with Atletico Madrid this season. He has 35 Serie A goals in 130 appearances with Juventus.