Trailing after 23 seconds due to an error by Dimarco exploited by Bajrami, the Azzurri come back in a quarter of an hour and take the three points
Winning debut forItaly of Spalletti who beat 2-1 against DortmundAlbania in the first match of Group B of Euro 2024. The match started disastrously with an error from a throw-in by Dimarco which surprised Bastoni and gave away to Bajrami the opening goal after just 23 seconds of play. However, the Azzurri’s reaction was vehement already in the 16th minute and the score was overturned: first Sticks on the development of a corner (11′) then Stretcher from outside the area (16′) they gave the three points to Spalletti. Also noteworthy is a post by Frattesi in the first half and a great intervention by Donnarumma in the ninetieth minute.
THE MATCH
Ugh, sigh of relief. L’Italy he completed the mission on his debut at Euro 2024, but against Albania – in a match dominated for large stretches – the beginning and end of the match were for strong coronaries. The 2-1 scored by Sticks And Stretcher gives the three points to coach Spalletti, desired and practically mandatory in a tough group with Spain and Croatia, but if in the first half net of the gift he gave to Bajrami the fastest goal in the history of the European ChampionshipsThe Blues they commanded the operations, quickly overturning the score, in the second half the automatic pilot did not allow the attack to break out, instead granting Manaj the equalizer in the last minute. The huge back of Donnarumma he did the rest, but the coach knows that against Spain first and Croatia immediately after, the level will have to be increased.
However, the group demonstrated its character. Of course against an opponent who isn’t of the highest level but still treacherous, the goal conceded coldly for the omelette cooked by Dimarco and Bastoni directly from a lateral foul in the Balkan bedlam of Dortmund, he could have broken the bank. Instead, Spalletti’s Italy reacted immediately by relying on the certainties built in a few months: dribbling, aggression, verticality. The goal of Bajrami under the crossbar after 23 seconds it was ingested and digested quickly, a few seconds later – in fact – Pellegrini came close to equalising, just missing the target. A wasted opportunity which however made the Azzurri understand that they had a way and space to attack Albania, who were immediately barricaded in their own area and deprived of any pressure. The equalizer came in the 11th minute thanks to the development of a corner scheme studied by Dimarco and Pellegrini and capitalized by Sticks; five minutes later it was the turn of Stretcher from 17 meters finding the corner for the overtaking which would then be definitive.
L’ItalyIf anything, he can complain about the fact that he only scored two goals in a first half dominated far and wide, filled with changes of play, insertions and one-on-ones as well as opportunities. The Frattesi pole served in depth by Scamacca was also thanks to Strakosha’s reflex, while Scamacca and Pellegrini with a little more coolness from close range they could have closed the contest before the break. In the second half, Italy controlled possession of the ball, but without the brilliance and speed of the first half, making the defensive phase easier for Sylvinho’s national team, who were never really in difficulty except for a shot from the edge by Chiesa after an offensive recovery Of Scamacca. Remaining at a minimum distance, as often happens, in the last minute Albania also had the equalizer Manajwho had eluded Calafiori until that perfect moment, directed it perfectly to the far post with a dig, but found Donnarumma’s slight – but absolutely decisive – deflection from the back for a sigh of relief in all blue as big as this.
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THE REPORT CARDS OF ITALY-ALBANIA
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THE SCORESHEET
ITALY-ALBANIA 2-1
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. Coach: 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. Coach: Sylvinho.
Referee: Zwayer (Germany)
Markers: 1′ Bajrami (A), 11′ Bastoni (I), 16′ Stretcher (I)
Warned: Pellegrini, Calafiori (I); Broja, Hoxha (A)
Expelled: Nobody
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