Winning debut at Euro2024 for Luciano Spalletti’s Italy, who beat Albania 2-1 in Dortmund in the first match of Group B. Disastrous start for the Azzurri, who conceded a goal after just 23 seconds after an error from a throw-in by Dimarco which surprised Bastoni and gave Bajrami the opening goal (the fastest goal in the history of the European Championships). Shortly afterwards, however, Italy returned to the match with a goal from Bastoni following a corner (11′), and then overturned the result with Barella from outside the area (16′). First three points for Spalletti.
These are the words of Beppe Bergomito Sky Sportsafter Italy’s match: “I don’t think Italy had enough, but a bit of physical decline. They still won with merit. The first half, thanks to Chiesa’s ideas, was played with incisiveness and quality. Barella and Chiesa were the best, also in finding the game that Spalletti asks for.”
Here is the match scoreboard:
Italy (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco (37′ st Darmian); Jorginho, Barella (47′ st Folorunsho); Frattesi, Pellegrini (32′ st Cristante), Chiesa (32′ st Cambiaso); Scamacca (37′ st Retegui). Available: Vicario, Meret, Buongiorno, Gatti, Raspadori, Bellanova, Mancini, Zaccagni, Fagioli, El Shaarawy. All.: Spalletti
Albania (4-3-3): Strakosha; Hysaj, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami (42′ st Maçi); Asani (23′ st Hoxha), Broja (31′ st Manaj), Seferi (23′ st Laçi). Available: E. Berisha, Kastrati, Balliu, Gjasula, Mihaj, M. Berisha, Ismajli, Daku, Abrashi, Kumbulla, Aliji. All.: Sylvinho
Referee: Zwayer (Germany)
Scorers: 1′ Bajrami (A), 11′ Bastoni (I), 16′ Barella (I)
Booked: Pellegrini, Calafiori (I); Broja, Hoxha (A)