Euro 2024: Italy humbles Albania despite yielding quick goal
Italy humbled Albania despite yielding a quick goal in a Euro 2024 Group B match at the BVB Stadion Dortmund in Germany on Saturday.
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ITALY HUMBLES ALBANIA DESPITE CONCEDING FASTEST GOAL IN TOURNAMENT HISTORY
Defending champion Italy humbled Albania, 2-1, despite yielding the fastest goal in tournament history.
Alessandro Bastoni produced Lorenzo Pellegrini’s cross with a header in the 11th minute to match Nedim Bajrami’s quick goal 23 seconds into the match.
Nicolo Barella struck hard from the edge of the area to give the Azzurri the lead in the 16th minute before holding on for the win.
The result calmed Italian soccer fans as the defending champions were pressured to win after Spain beat Croatia, 3-0, early Saturday.
Furthermore, it was Barella’s second goal against Albania and his 10th overall for Italy, surpassing Francesco Totti’s nine.
THE AZZURRI SHAKEN AFTER BAJRAMI’S GOAL IN 23 SECONDS GIVES ALBANIA EARLY LEAD
The defending champions’ title retention bid started awkwardly after Bajrami rattled the pro-Albania crowd with his lightning goal.
Bajrami pounced on a weak Italian defense by converting a weak throw-n by Azzurri left-back Federico DiMarco that missed teammate Bastoni
Moreover, that goal is now the fastest in Euro history after Dmitri Kirichenko scored for Russia in 65 seconds against Greece on June 20, 2004.
“They (Albania) showed there was a gulf in class by playing good football … we played the game the right way,” Italy manager Luciano Spalleti said.
“The scoreline doesn’t reflect the difference between the two teams,” he added.
RESULT RESTORES ORDER AFTER ITALY SKIPPER SEEKS RESPECT OVER ‘FAVORITES’ TAG
The result restored order over what fans thought of Italy, which others have ranked behind Spain, England, and France despite its defending champs’ label.
Furthermore, Azzurri skipper Gianluigi Donnarumma felt Italy should get the respect a defending Euro 2024 champion deserves coming into the tournament.
“Some teams are undoubtedly very strong like France and England but we can have a say too,” Donnarumma said.
“I think there are no favorites in this competition like this. There is everything to play for, so we will go there and have a say and get to the final,” he added.
However, Albania – led by Arsenal defender Sylvinho – felt they held their own against the defending champions and they could still get better.
“We need to play in lots of Euros and World Cups so we can get better,” the Italian star said.
“The first 25 minutes were tough but we were up against one of the favorites to win the comp.”
“We didn’t play those first 25 minutes well but we stayed in the game,” he added.
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