L’Italy suffers a cold net, reacts, dominates far and wide, but lacks cynicism and fails to close it, risking a draw in the final. Spalletti’s national team had a good first appearance at the German European Championships, but only for the game and the final result – which is no small feat – because what is missing is malice. Chiesa and Barella did well on an individual level, while the collective moved by keeping their departments short and always finding the third man, but failed to be as incisive as they should in the very last metres. Albania suffers throughout the match, but has the merit of always hanging on and coming close to a sensational equalizer in the ninetieth. With Spain and Croatia something more will be needed.
ITALY
Donnarumma 7: he takes the goal coldly after 24 seconds, it’s on his post, but Bajrami’s is a torpedo. Then never really engaged throughout the match, until he saves the result in the ninetieth minute, blocking Manaj on the way out.
By Lorenzo 6: more conservative match than usual, to watch out for Seferi’s attacks. When he manages to push, however, he easily permeates the Albanian defensive layer.
Sticks 6.5: he fails to contain Bajrami on the goal, but then makes up for it by securing the equalizer with a header. Afterwards he becomes dominant in defence, acting as a deep playmaker alongside Calafiori.
Calafiori 6: he moves elegantly and imperiously at the center of the defense, almost as if he were a veteran. Never a smudge, never an adventurous disengagement. He gets a yellow card, but his personality is the right one. Half a point less because he falls asleep at the end and Albania almost equalises.
Dimarco 5.5: he is the protagonist of the unfortunate start of the Azzurri, with that unfortunate throw. Then he picks up the pace and begins to churn out mind-blowing quantities of crosses, partially rehabilitating himself.
Stretcher, 7: always in the game, always effervescent, he spices up a strong performance with that powerful strike from outside the air that sets the result at 2-1. From 92′ Folorusnho sv.
Jorginho 6: somewhat obscure work in directing, where he never finds insight. He limits himself to ordinary administration: it can be enough with Albania, not for the next ones.
Church 6.5: they never catch him on the right and, in the end, all they need is a goal. On his side they stocked up on painkillers. From 77′ Cambiaso 6: he holds the band without overdoing it, but when it comes to freezing the result it’s fine.
Frattesi 6: less effective than what we are used to, sometimes called upon by Spalletti, but still a pivot that the Azzurri cannot do without. He catches a pole with the scavetto that would have deserved better luck.
Pilgrims 6.5: he draws the assist for Bastoni’s equalizer, devours a penalty on the move and comes close to scoring. Substantial match. From 78′ Cristante: he enters with personality at the moment when Albania pushes to look for an equalizer.
Scamacca 6: he throws himself in front to make an impact, but he never manages to find the right hole to do what is required of a center forward, score.
Spalletti coach 6: he proposes a dominant Italy in the game especially in the first half, but his team have the disadvantage of not being able to close it out. Against Spain and Croatia something more will be needed.
ALBANIA
Strakosha 6: he can do nothing about the two blue goals, for the rest he disengages with authority.
Hysaj 5.5: suffers on his side and is unable to do anything more than compete in painful containment
Djimsiti 5.5: he tries to keep the bar straight, but even if he holds his own against his teammate Scamacca also suffers from the incursions of the blue midfielders
Ajeti 5.5: he also suffered on the blue’s outbursts, especially in the first half. He can’t block as he should.
Mitaj 5: he never breaks through on his side and is practically never able to contain Chiesa. Night to forget.
Asllani 6: called upon to screw in light bulbs right there in the middle, he soon finds himself suffocated by Italian dynamism.
Ramadan 5.5: he should put order and filter, he doesn’t succeed sufficiently in either of the two missions.
Bajrami 6.5: Italy freezes without warning with a missile under the intersection, then drops into the distance like his entire team.
Asani 6: always very active on the offensive front, but when he tries to break through the blue rearguard he promptly keeps him at bay. From 68′ Hoxha 6: he enters with a great desire to settle things, but hits the blue wall
Seferi 6: asphyxiated first half, then tries to light up, but never manages to make an impact. From 68′ Laci 5.5: he also comes in to try to catch up, but he doesn’t arrive.
Broja 6: he is the most feared man up front, but he promptly crashes into Bastoni and Calafiori. From 76′ Manaj 6: he could become the Albanian hero with that conclusion in the ninetieth minute, but Donnarumma denies him the glory.
Coach Sylvinho 5.5: in the first half his team practically never sees him.
In the second half he grows relatively: however, it is difficult to ask much more from him in light of the technical difference on the pitch.
Referee Felix Zwayer (Germany) 6: he leads a race without any worries that does not give rise to particular worries.
