UEFA EURO reporter's view: Italy

Squad analysis
With the meanest defence in Italian football – the Juventus block of Gianluigi Buffon, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci and Andrea Barzagli which conceded just 20 goals in Serie A last season – Italy can build upon firm foundations. However, without the injured Marco Verratti and Claudio Marchisio, the heart has been ripped out of Italy's midfield, and there is a distinct lack of goalscoring regularity in Antonio Conte's forwards.

• Italy squad confirmed

One to watch
Napoli's Lorenzo Insigne could be the man to provide the spark for Italy. The technically-gifted forward may fit Conte's usual tactical schemes, but is arguably the only player in his squad with that certain je ne sais quoi about him. Unpredictable, skilful and with a keen eye for a goal or the killer ball, Insigne will bring excitement to the Azzurri attack.

How they'll play
Back in his days as coach of Bari and Siena, Conte was renowned for gung-ho attacking football, but his 4-2-4 bravado gave way to a more measured 4-3-3 during his first season at Juventus. With the defensive talent he had, he soon introduced the three-man defence of Bonucci, Barzagli and Chiellini, which now underpins his Italy side, with the focus very much on defensive solidity.

What you won't know
Italy came through their UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying campaign unbeaten (seven wins, three draws), and you would actually have to go back almost a decade to find their last defeat in a EURO or FIFA World Cup qualifying match: a 3-1 loss to France on 6 September 2006.

How they'll do
Italy tend to blossom as tournaments progress – provided they can clear the first hurdle. They failed to do that at the last two World Cups, but reaching the final of UEFA EURO 2012 and winning the 2006 World Cup epitomised this slow-release quality. The quarter-finals will be an objective this time around, and then it depends how well-oiled they have become as to whether they can go further.

Your most memorable EURO moment
Celebrations are part of football and there have been some classics in previous EUROs; the statuesque, sinewy pose of Mario Balotelli after he fired Italy to victory over Germany in the 2012 semi-finals, and Paul Gascoigne's 'dentist chair' celebration for England in 1996. Hopefully UEFA EURO 2016 will produce plenty more.

What you're most looking forward to this summer
Think France, think cuisine. The French are very proud of their culinary skills and, while it may not be so easy for me to experiment many new dishes, being vegetarian, I am looking forward to trying new flavours as I visit different corners of 'L'Hexagone'.

 Follow Ben throughout the finals on @UEFAcomBenG