Italy Triumphs Over Albania in Euro 2024 Thriller
On June 15, 2024, the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund hosted a thrilling Euro 2024 group stage match between Italy and Albania. With over 60,000 fans in attendance, Italy emerged victorious with a 2–1 win, showcasing their strength and determination. In this article, we will delve into the key moments of the match, analyze team lineups, and provide forecasts for the upcoming group B games.
Team Lineups
Italy:
- Goalkeeper: Gianluigi Donnarumma (PSG)
- Defenders: Leonardo Spinazzola (Roma), Alessandro Bastoni (Inter Milan), Francesco Acerbi (Inter Milan), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli)
- Midfielders: Lorenzo Pellegrini (Roma), Nicolò Barella (Inter Milan), Jorginho (Arsenal)
- Forwards: Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta), Matteo Politano (Napoli)
Albania:
- Goalkeeper: Etrit Berisha (Torino)
- Defenders: Elseid Hysaj (Lazio), Marash Kumbulla (Roma), Frederic Veseli (Empoli), Ledian Memushaj (Pescara)
- Midfielders: Nedim Bajrami (Sassuolo), Kledi Qose (Antalyaspor), Ylber Ramadani (Aberdeen), Taulant Seferi (Zürich)
- Forwards: Armando Broja (Chelsea), Rey Manaj (Barcelona)
Match Progression
The match began with a stunning start for Albania. Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in Euro history just 22 seconds into the game, setting a new tournament record. This shocking goal caught the Italian team and their supporters off guard.
However, Italy quickly regrouped, and in the 11th minute, Alessandro Bastoni equalized with a precise pass from Lorenzo Pellegrini. Bastoni’s goal revitalized the Italian team, which began to press their opponents, displaying their high level of skill and technique.
Five minutes later, in the 16th minute, Nicolò Barella put Italy ahead with a well-placed shot, finishing off a swift team move. The Italians continued to dominate, creating several dangerous opportunities, but the score remained 2–1 in their favor at halftime.
The second half saw the tension rise. In the 51st minute, both teams received yellow cards: Riccardo Calafiori for a harsh tackle and Armando Broja for an elbow. This highlighted the intensity and passion on the field.
The Albanians attempted to equalize but were thwarted by Italy’s solid defense. In the 68th minute, Albania’s coach made a double substitution, bringing on Hoxha and Laçi to strengthen the attack. However, these changes did not yield the desired results.
Italy also made several substitutions to refresh their lineup. In the 77th minute, Cristante and Cambiaso entered the field, replacing Pellegrini and Chiesa. These changes helped Italy maintain control and avoid mistakes.
In the final minutes, Italy confidently held onto their lead despite Albania’s persistent efforts. In the 90+2 minute, Nicolò Barella received a yellow card for time-wasting, but this did not affect the final outcome. The match concluded with a 2–1 victory for Italy.
Match Statistics
- Expected Goals (xG): Italy 1.67 — Albania 0.38
- Possession: Italy 65% — Albania 35%
- Shots: Italy 15 — Albania 8
- Shots on Target: Italy 5 — Albania 1
- Corner Kicks: Italy 5 — Albania 3
- Offsides: Italy 2 — Albania 1
- Fouls: Italy 7 — Albania 7
- Yellow Cards: Italy 2 — Albania 2
- Passes: Italy 820 (760 accurate) — Albania 379 (330 accurate)
Predictions for Upcoming Group B Matches
Italy is set to face Switzerland on June 20. Considering Italy’s current form, the betting odds are as follows:
- Italy Win: 1.50
- Draw: 4.00
- Switzerland Win: 6.00
Albania will play against Turkey on the same day, with odds favoring Turkey:
- Albania Win: 8.00
- Draw: 4.50
- Turkey Win: 1.35
The final group matches also promise excitement. Italy will meet Turkey, while Albania will face Switzerland.
The Italy vs. Albania match was a tense and emotional event in Euro 2024. Italy demonstrated their strength and resolve, overcoming an early Albanian goal to secure the win. The Albanian team showed character but could not maintain their advantage. Many thrilling matches lie ahead, and fans eagerly await the continuation of the tournament.
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