LIVE Italy-Albania, the live text of the European Championship match: the official lineups have been announced, only one Roma player from the first minute!
We’re finally here: after a very long wait, Italy takes to the field to face Albania in this first match of the European Championships. The Azzurri dream of progressing to the next round but the grouping is certainly not easy: there are important teams like Spain and Croatia. In the afternoon, the Iberian national team demolished Modric and his teammates with a peremptory 3-0, thus warning all the other opponents and not just those in their own group.
The Azzurri match is scheduled for 9.00 pm. They have been released the first official formations: Spalletti, once again, manages to surprise everyone. Making up the defensive quartet are Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni and Dimarco: a young and unprecedented rearguard for this first match. In midfield, however, Barella and Jorginho will cover a larger space while Chiesa, Frattesi and Pellegrini will have the task of accompanying Scamacca.
LIVE Italy-Albania: live coverage of the Euro 2024 match
ITALY (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Chiesa, Frattesi, Pellegrini; Scamacca. Coach: Luciano Spalletti
ALBANIA (4-3-3): Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mihaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Seferi. Coach: Sylvinho
8.30pm – Teams busy warming up: there is great anticipation for the start of the match!
1′ – Sensational: Italy down after 24 seconds. Dimarco gives the ball to Bajrami who pierces Donnarumma. Shocking start for the national team
3′ – Pellegrini one step away from equalizing. Game at a very high pace!
10′ – Italy draw, what a match! In the melee, Bastoni’s header beats Strakosha.
16′ – Italy takes the lead!!! Barella scores: what a right foot from out of the air. Referee’s VAR check for possible foul.
21′ – Pellegrini is booked. The number 10 knocks out an opponent during a counterattack.
33′ – Frattesi almost scores a hat trick! Fantastic action with the midfielder who tries a lob and is stopped by the post.
34′ – Problems for Chiesa. Bad blow to the ankle for the Juventus winger.
43′ – Asani tries from outside: ball goes to stars
45′ – 3 minutes of injury time: after a match played at a very high pace, for a few minutes Italy has been calmly moving the ball around
48′ – The first half ends: 2 to 1 for the Azzurri, Lorenzo Pellegrini’s performance has been excellent so far
55′ – Even in this second half, Italy controls the pace
65′ Opportunities are scarce, but Italy is still in control
75′ – The round of changes begins for Spalletti too: Pellegrini exits, Cristante enters
90′ – What a thrill for Italy! Deep ball for Manaj who comes close to scoring one-on-one with Donnarumma. The goalkeeper was very good at covering the blue target and defending the result
96′ – Finished!!! Some thrills for the national team who however managed to gain three very precious points!
