Against Albania
Italy vs Albania – LIVE from 9pm
Defending champions Italy have passed their first test at the European Football Championships, despite a terrible false start. In their 2:1 (2:1) win over Albania, the Squadra Azzurra overturned a 0:1 deficit after 23 seconds, but still had to tremble for victory in the end ...
Nedim Bajrami with the fastest goal in European Championship history, Alessandro Bastoni (11th) and Nicolo Barella (16th) scored early goals in a match that continued the trend of the still young German European Championship: At least three goals were scored in all four games.
This means that Italy and Spain are the opening winners of the tough Group B after beating Croatia 3-0. On Thursday (21:00), the southern European duel for the probable group win will take place. Albania, who are the clear outsiders, will face Croatia, who are already under pressure, on Wednesday (3 p.m.).
Record goal
The Italians, coached by Luciano Spalletti, had to digest an early shock in their first final round match in three years. A disastrous throw-in by Federico di Marco in his own penalty area became a gift for Bajrami, who finished powerfully over the shoulder of star goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma. The cheers from the Albanian fans, who were clearly in the majority in the Dortmund Arena, were frenetic. But the joy did not last long.
Italy's double strike
The 2021 European Championship champions corrected their false start with constant pressure, with Lorenzo Pellegrini missing a great chance to equalize while still free (3rd minute). In the 11th minute, however, Bastoni headed in from a short corner kick. The central defender made the most of the freedom afforded to him by the world number 66 in the five-meter area.
Shortly afterwards, the game was turned around. Albania striker Jasir Asani involuntarily set up Barella. The Inter Milan player, who had been a doubt after suffering muscle fatigue, scored with a direct shot from 17 meters. The refereeing team ruled that Di Marco had interfered with Asani.
After that, the favourites were no longer in quite as much of a hurry, but were still able to impress with Barella distributing the ball and playing creative attacking soccer. In the 33rd minute, striker Gianluca Scamacca also showed his playmaking qualities and played an excellent through ball to Davide Frattesi. His chip landed on the bar because goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha had his fingertips on it.
Albania barely managed to relieve the pressure, but could hope for another lucky punch as Italy lacked the efficiency of the opening phase. The scoreline meant the game remained delicate. Dangerous finishes from Scamacca, Pellegrini, Di Marco and Federico Chiesa testified to the unchanged dominance of the favorites, who gradually remembered their historical roots - defending.
Mega chance for Albania
When there was already little sign of a 2:2 draw, the Eastern Europeans had a great chance to equalize. Rej Manaj, who got away from his defenders after a long ball, failed to beat Donnarumma from an acute angle (90').
Here are the best pictures of the game:
Italy - Albania 2:1 (2:1)
Dortmund, Signal Iduna Park
SR Zwayer/GER.
Goals:
0:1 ( 1.) Bajrami
1:1 (11') Bastoni
2:1 (16') Barella
Italy: Donnarumma - Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco (83rd Darmian) - Jorginho, Barella (92nd Folorunsho) - Frattesi, Pellegrini (77th Cristante) - Chiesa (77th Cambiaso) - Scamacca (83rd Retegui)
Albania: Strakosha - Hysaj, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj - Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami (87. Muci) - Asani (68. Hoxha), Broja (77. Manaj), Seferi (68. Laci)
Yellow cards: Pellegrini, Calafiori or Broja, Hoxha
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