«The national team does not depend on individuals»

«It arrived so soon that I didn’t even think about it much. We knew that if we played the way we knew we were superior to them. It was certainly an oversight that shouldn’t be repeated, it won’t happen again but we were good at putting it back on its feet, it went well. An indescribable emotion but we don’t want to stop here”

«We started as badly as we could have, we did well not to get mentally demoralized. It was certainly difficult with all their fans working against us but we remained calm and won the match. With Spain we know it will be difficult, we know their strong points but also ours”

«Shocking start, then we reacted as a group, as a great team. We have to be more cynical in front of goal because we have had the opportunities. In these competitions, all it takes is one opportunity from your opponents and you risk not winning it. Bump? Yes, just a bump, everything is fine. The coach asked me for availability and I told him I would play anywhere. Last European Championship I played on the right and even now, I feel good in this position”

«I was a little tired at the end, but I really wanted to be there. I was firm but all the guys made me feel important. I will spit blood for these guys, for this staff and for this shirt. We deserved to score more goals, football is like that. When you leave games open anything can happen but we played a great game. The coach decides if I play but I am certainly available against Spain too».

«We have seen many good things that must lead somewhere. Because if they are an end in themselves they are useless. There was the possibility of it hurting several times, but we didn’t finish the action as soon as possible. We built the possibility of targeting the opponent’s line but then we changed our mind and went back. The national team can do without anyone, it is wrong to say that a national team depends on a player. Every time you ask me I will be forced to answer the opposite.
In the second half soften in the climb we haven’t reached the end, sometimes we feel a little comfortable doing things instead of always interpreting everything in an always bad way. Too often we have changed our minds when instead we built situations and then went back, without going through with the action».

Winning debut forItaly That wins 2-1 against Albania and starts well at Euro2024. Shocking start for the Azzurri who conceded a goal after just 23 seconds Bajrami. Horrible throw-in by Dimarco who serves the Albanian striker, perfect in hitting Donnarumma at the near post. The fastest goal in the history of the European Championships which could immediately bring Italy to its knees psychologically. The blow, however, turns out to be therapeutic for Spalletti’s boys who react immediately. First Pellegrini comes close to equalizing in the 2nd minute, then the Roma player himself draws Sticks at the far post who heads the equalizer in the 11th minute. The reaction that paves the way for Italy. The leader of the group, Nicolò, completes the comeback Stretcher: it was the big doubt in the lineup, given the physical conditions, but the Inter player immediately dispelled any doubts with a wonderful right-footed shot from outside that made it 2-1 for the Azzurri. Italy creates another three clear scoring opportunities in the first half, above all that of Frattesi who hits the ball after Scamacca’s pass, with Strakosha’s touch being decisive.

In the second half the Azzurri continued to manage the pace of the game, risking almost nothing, but with less clarity in front of goal. The team appears less brilliant in the second half of the game and becomes less dangerous. The arrivals of Cambiaso, Cristante, Darmian, Retegui and Folorunsho do not make a decisive contribution. Donnarumma is decisive in the final on Manaj and saves the result in Albania’s only real opportunity. It ends 2-1, the Azzurri win on their debut.

Spalletti brings on Folorunsho in the 92nd minute, the Verona midfielder takes Barella’s place.

In the 89th minute, Albania came close to equalizing with Manaj but Donnarumma was decisive as he came out and managed to avoid Albania’s equalizing goal with his back.

Inside Darmian and Retegui who take the place of Dimarco and Scamacca.

Personal initiative by Dimarco who starts with the ball and finishes from distance with the left foot, Strakosha well done not to be surprised.

Spalletti brings in Cambiaso and Cristante, Chiesa and Pellegrini out.

Manaj enters the Albanian ranks in place of Broja.

Inside Hoxha and Laci who take the place of Asani and Seferi.

Chance for Chiesa who comes back on the left foot and shoots hard at the far post. The ball goes out just to Strakosha’s right.

Game clash between Calafiori and Bajrami: the referee shows the yellow card for the blue but also for Broja.

Another chance for the Italian number 10 who gets in on Chiesa’s cross but hits it more with his shoulder than his head. The ball comes out to the goalkeeper’s right.

Great chance for the Azzurri with Scamacca who is served well by Pellegrini but a few steps away from Strakosha he gets hypnotized.

Sensational opportunity for Italy in the 33rd minute: Scamacca comes out and slots in for Frattesi who goes with the scavetto but finds an amazing Strakosha who touches it just enough to send it to the post.

Small curiosity: before the national years, some Albanian fans sang the Mameli anthem, as well as that of our national team.

Italy overtakes and scores the 2-1 with Nicolò Barella: the midfielder collects a loose ball and counterattacks Strakosha, sealing the lead for Spalletti’s team.

Italy equalized in the 11th minute thanks to Alessandro Bastoni’s winning header. Cross from the left by Pellegrini and a winning shot by the Italian defender.

After 2 minutes Italy has the opportunity to equalize: Chiesa reaches the back and passes into the middle for Pellegrini who tries the far post with his right foot but the ball goes out.

Shocking start for the Azzurri: Dimarco misses the throw and Bajrami takes advantage of it by puncturing Donnarumma after 25 seconds of play.

«There is an atmosphere that is wonderful. These matches here are the meaning of everything, if there weren’t these matches life would have no meaning.”

ITALY (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Frattesi, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Scamacca. Coach Spalletti.

ALBANIA (4-3-3): Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mihaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Seferi. Ct. Sylvinho.

The Italian embassy in Germany, as far as we know, is following the case of the 67 Italians arrested in Dortmund, where the Italy-Albania European Championship match is scheduled for this evening. The ultras, suspected of preparing an attack on the Albanian fans, were taken to the police station.

Freeze for around fifty Italian fans shortly before Italy-Albania in Dortmund. According to police information, the group of supporters was stopped before coming into contact with other Albanian fans near a restaurant. The fans were found in possession of objects capable of offending, such as knives, paper bombs and balaclavas, they will be held in the German police offices, probably for 24 hours, awaiting evaluation by the judiciary.

ITALY (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Frattesi, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Scamacca. Coach Spalletti.

ALBANIA (4-3-3): Strakosha; Hysaj, Kumbulla, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Bajrami, Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Broja, Hoxha. Ct. Sylvinho.

Italy-Albania will be broadcast live on Rai 1 and on Sky, on the Sky Sport Uno and Sky Sport Calcio channels. Also available in streaming via RaiPlay and Sky Go apps and on NOW.

The Euro2024 match between Italy and Albania will take place this evening at 9pm Westfalenstadion of Dortmund.