Italy Survive Early Scare to Edge Albania in Euro Opener

Italy’s Euro 2024 defense got off to a shaky start but ultimately secured a 2-1 victory over Albania in their Group B opener. The match, played in Dortmund, saw the reigning champions concede the fastest goal in European Championship history after just 23 seconds. 

Albanian forward Nedim Bajrami capitalized on a defensive error to put his team ahead, sending shockwaves through the tournament. However, Italy responded with remarkable composure. Alessandro Bastoni equalized with a header shortly after, before Nicolo Barella completed the turnaround with a stunning first-time volley within the first 16 minutes.

Despite controlling possession for most of the game, Italy couldn’t find the third goal. Chances from Davide Frattesi and Gianluca Scamacca were denied by Albania’s impressive goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha. The underdogs nearly snatched a point in stoppage time through substitute Rey Manaj, but his effort went just wide.

The win puts Italy in second place in the group, behind Spain who defeated Croatia earlier on Sunday. Italy will face Spain in their next match, a game that could determine the group winner.

Talking Point: Italy Stutter, But Can They Recover?

Pre-tournament discussions cast a shadow of doubt on Italy’s ability to defend their title, especially with the ongoing rebuild under manager Luciano Spalletti. Albania’s historic goal certainly added weight to those concerns.

Despite being the second-lowest ranked team in the competition, Albania started brightly and might feel they were too cautious after going behind. Italy, to their credit, responded quickly and dominated possession. However, their lack of attacking edge raises questions about their overall strength.

The upcoming clash against Spain will be a true test for the Azzurri. While this win allows them to breathe a sigh of relief, a strong performance against La Roja will be crucial in determining their chances of retaining the European crown.