The first half was enough for Italy: they played, dominated, won and even gave Albania the goal

The first half was enough for Italy: they played, dominated, won and even gave Albania the goal

Italy started well at the European Championships. Victory on debut against Albania which, in reality, proved to be of little importance, especially in the first half. It went like Italy-France at Argentina78. A thrilling debut. Goal conceded before a minute and then the victory. Then Bearzot’s national team scored the goal after 44 seconds: Lacombe following a cross from Six. Tonight Italy scored the fastest goal in the history of the European Championships: 22 seconds. Dimarco provided a delightful assist from a throw-in to Bajrami who didn’t wait to be asked and hurled it into the top corner. Donnarumma innocent. But then there was the reaction and complete domination. The national team dominated the field. He won 2-1 but if he had persisted, he would have scored more. Especially in the first half.

The first half of Spalletti’s Italy was very good

Italy started with a handicap. He then played as if nothing had happened. He started grinding football without ever getting anxious. We were helped by the inconsistency of the Albanians but honestly the inadequacy of the opponents cannot be blamed on Spalletti’s national team. The midfield was very mobile in the first half, never giving the opponents points of reference.

Italy could have equalized after a minute with Lorenzo Pellegrini. And it was immediately clear that Chiesa would cause havoc on the right. Against him is the unfortunate Seferi who went to the mental hospital. The national team equalized in six minutes: they reached 1-1 in the 11th minute with Bastoni who jumped undisturbed into the area and then in the 16th minute he scored with Barella. There was no match, at least in the first half (in the second half the Albanians put up a minimum of resistance). It was a boxing training match against the sparring partner. As Bergomi said several times in the commentary: “Everything was too easy”, or “Albania almost never played the ball forward”.

The Albanian national team recalled the Squallor parody of the 1980s advertising of the Regatta, that one “does it consume a lot? Yes. Do you often go off road? Yes, etc. etc.” Albania, described as a fearsome team, with a very solid defensive phase, in reality turned out to be a national team without quality. After Dimarco’s gift, it has lowered and can fit. He has given up pressing, and he can still do it but you have to know how to defend. If you give up playing and don’t know how to defend, and you score goals from a Serie B team, it means you’re poor. It’s better that way.

The (right) choice to let the best play

The fact is that Spalletti’s national team was well placed on the pitch. It must be said that the coach has fielded the best eleven and that doesn’t always happen. The game is fundamental but Mr. Luciano started first from the quality of the players. Chiesa on the right, then Pellegrini, Frattesi, Scamacca as center forward, Calafiori in defense. Di Lorenzo owner. Ball and chain, Italy always knows what to do. Then it’s easier if the others don’t press you but it’s also risky to press this national team which is deadly on counterattacks. He has players who do badly, like Chiesa, Frattesi, Pellegrini himself. The first half ended only 2-1. The Azzurri also hit the post with Frattesi in the first half. In the second half Italy became a bit disunited, to put it in Sorrentino’s words. Also due to tiredness. Even if he suffered only once, in the final, with Donnarumma’s perfect exit on Manaj.

With this victory, Italy secured their passage to the round of 16 in the first match. The second will be Thursday the 20th against Spain, 9pm.