The reigning European Championship holders begin the defence of their title on Saturday night, with Italy facing Albania in Group B – and with much having changed since their triumph in London three years ago.
Since winning the delayed Euros in 2021, the Azzurri have failed to qualify for the World Cup and turned over coaches in far more rapid fashion than usual but Luciano Spalletti looks to have reestablished some order with them and they look in good shape ahead of the start of Euro 2024 – albeit robbed of a couple of players through injury and perhaps lacking some star quality of previous years.
Albania will be hoping to cause an upset along the way but know they face an uphill battle to make it past the group stage, with Croatia and Spain – the other teams in the group – having met earlier today and still lying in wait for them.
Follow all the latest build-up and team news from Italy vs Albania below plus all the reaction from Spain’s 3-0 win over Croatia
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
Albania scored just 12 times in qualifying, which was the lowest of any group winner. You can see the evidence of that here tonight.
They win a free-kick in the Italy half though, and the ball is hit deep to Djimsiti. He knocks it down to Asani, who cuts inside and hits a shot over.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 20:46
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
Albania are enjoying some possession as the half draws to a close, but they’re struggling to create any chances. They kick it long to try and get the knock down, but Calafiori deals with it well.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 20:44
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
Pellegrini wins a header on the edge of the box which ends up at the feet of Scamacca. He’s one-v-one, but Strakosha makes another good save.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 20:42
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
Italy are happy to play keep-ball here. Scamacca drops deeper to collect and he flicks it to Pellegrini, who lays it off to Dimarco, but his cross is cleared.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 20:41
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
Chiesa was briefly down but he’s okay to carry on. Djimsiti beats Scamacca to the ball to clear, but Italy retain possession easily.
It looks like Albania are running out of ideas already.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 20:38
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
More patient build-up from Italy, which ends with Scamacca sliding a ball through to Frattesi. He tries to clip it over Strakosha but the Brentford number two makes an excellent save to claw it onto the post!
Chiesa collects the rebound and nutmegs the defender before clipping in a cross that overruns every blue shirt.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 20:36
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
Chiesa does well to beat his man on the right and avoid being taken down. He clips in a cross and Pellegrini tries the ridiculous overhead kick, but he can’t make clean contact.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 20:32
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
Lovely play from the Italian defenders to play it out from the back. They recycle possession and move into the Albania half, with plenty of patient two- and three-touch football.
They’re lacking any penetration this time though, and it’s recycled back to Calafiori again.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 20:30
Euro 2024: Italy 2-1 Albania
Albania go long once more and it looks problematic for Bastoni, but he cushions a header back to Donnarumma.
Italy go on the attack, but Di Lorenzo gives it away.
Chris Wilson15 June 2024 20:27