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.
Below is the original full story of the match by TMW:
The start of the match was frenetic, without a moment’s respite. Ready to go and it’s Albania’s goal immediately: after 23 seconds, thanks to a criminal throw from Dimarco who gave Bajrami the ball to make it 0-1. Italy found themselves behind without understanding how or why, they seemed dazed for a couple of minutes but then they put the unfortunate episode behind them by starting to play according to Spalletti’s dictates: 4-2-3-1 which it becomes 3-4-2-1 in the possession phase. Above all, no point of reference for the opponents. The response on the field has been superb. It wasn’t easy to react after a goal given away when the initial whistle still echoed, it wasn’t easy to react to the roaring celebration of a stadium almost entirely painted red. And yet Italy did it: in a quarter of an hour, they found both the equalizer and the overtaking goal.
The 1-1 was signed by Bastoni: following the development of a corner, Pellegrini brushed the ball to the far post where the national team’s number 23 was able to hit undisturbed. A handful of minutes later the 2-1 was achieved by Nicolò Barella: after Scamacca’s shot was rejected, the midfielder born in ’97 pounced on the ball and let loose a shot from the edge of the area which Strakosha missed.
Ahead 2-1, the national team began to control the ball with cleanliness and personality. With the direction of Calafiori and Jorginho he eliminated the frenetic start marked by the episodes and led the match, building more than one opportunity to extend the lead. In the 34th minute Frattesi, fed by Scamacca, appeared all alone in front of Strakosha and hit a post after the goalkeeper’s deflection. At the end of the half the Atalanta center forward also tried: another closure by the Albanian goalkeeper.
The music didn’t change in the second half, the rhythms just lowered: the blue web of passes had an Albania team on the ropes who, once the initial enthusiasm had vanished, no longer had the strength to become dangerous. In the 59th minute Chiesa grazed the post, then the game experienced a few gusts and few emotions until the 90th when Donnarumma was used to deflect a poisonous diagonal shot from Manaj.
A good victory for the Azzurri, conducted according to Luciano Spalletti’s ideas and with ball possession very close to 70%. The best way to start this European Championship, the response to Spain who roughed up Croatia in the afternoon. Three points for the formula of this European Championship are almost an insurance for the round of 16: It’s only the beginning. But what a great start.
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)
This is the situation instead group B of Euro 2024:
Spain-Croatia 3-0
Italy-Albania 2-1
The ranking of group B
Spain 3
Italy 3
Albania 0
Croatia 0