A shock start and a recovery in control. L’Italy plays on the wings of enthusiasm and, after the deficit, dominates against Albania: Dimarco makes a mistake and concedes the goal to Bajrami, Stretcher And Sticks they overturn the result. It ends 2-1 at the end Westfalenstadion of Dortmund, which confirms itself as a positive stadium for our national team. Excellent indications for the coach Spalletti which, net of the equal touched by Manajobtains the hoped-for scenario: arriving at the direct clash with Spain, Thursday at 9pm, tied with the Red Furies: for them, a resounding 3-0 over Croatia.
Dimarco makes a mistake, Bastoni and Barella don’t: Italy recovers and recovers from 2-1
The start was a shock for Italy, which immediately found itself at a disadvantage. Twenty-four seconds were enough for Albania to break the deadlock by taking advantage of a serious mistake by Federico Dimarco: throw-in without thinking or calling his teammates, Bajrami takes advantage and scores past Gigio Donnarumma. Italy suffers for a few minutes, then Pellegrini charges and the Azzurri recover. Bastoni scores after the Roma player’s assist (11′), heading the ball, while Barella performs magic: an unstoppable winger and 2-1 after sixteen minutes. From here it’s an Italian monologue, with Albania not recovering and not returning to the match: Frattesi hits the post and our national team comes close twice to the (deserved) hat-trick.
Italy controls and takes risks in the second half: Manaj comes close to equalising
In the second half we saw Italy in total control, slowing down the pace of the match and managing their energy ahead of Spain. Spalletti plays with substitutions, switching to three at the end and centralizing Di Lorenzo alongside Bastoni and Calafiori, with Cambiaso-Darmian on the outside. A move that worked until injury time, when Albania had a sensational opportunity to equalize: Calafiori himself sensationally lost Manaj, only a providential intervention by Donnarumma and the inaccuracy of the former Inter player avoided a draw. In the 95th minute, on the last action, another thrill with Mitaj’s high shot. Not a great Italy in the second half, with too much confidence and little energy, but the victory arrives: three golden points for the national team.
