Italy-Albania: With the aura of the champion against a dangerous opponent

In his battle Euro 2024 the European champion enters! Her national team Italy contrasts with its counterpart Albania for the premiere of the two teams in the 2nd group of the competition (22:00) in a very interesting match.

A group that can well be characterized as a group of death since in addition to the two groups above, the Spain, Croatia.

So, on the one hand, the renewed at all levels Azura squad wants to test its mettle in another big tournament, on the other hand, the well-worked and always dangerous Albania is looking for the surprise result in the match held in .

After the two consecutive absences from the World Cup and while in between he had conquered the Euro of 2021, defeating England inside Wembley, the Italy could not be absent from the event. Of course, in order to reach the finals of the European Championship, he needed them, after securing qualification in the last matchday with a 0-0 draw at home in Ukraine. It finished behind England but ahead of Ukraine, North Macedonia and Malta, while not having convincing performances, showing that it needs more time in its new era. What do we mean by the new age? This is a team with many new players, few old… caravans and a new coach, the Luciano Spalletti who succeeded Roberto Mancini.

Certainly, it does not lack quality but it remains to be seen how it will perform without several great personalities of the past such as Bonucci, Chiellini and Insigne. Of course, in the locker room the void of the aforementioned will be filled by them Buffon, Totti and Del Pierowho have an advisory role at Spalletti’s side and will transfer their aura to the “Azzurri”.

THE Albania on the other hand, it shows a good face in recent years and is a nation that is progressing. She also participated in the previous Euro, while she is consistent in her matches. She has a plan in her game and Silvinho has passed on to the players the combativeness, teamwork and tactical education needed for such events. She topped her group with a terrific run, leaving the Czech Republic and Poland behind among others.

She qualified second from her group, finishing behind and above them. It has players with participation in major leagues such as Strakosa, Hisai, Jimcity, Broya but also footballers who are known to the Greek public such as Mitai and Mihai. Quite dangerous on counter-attacks, she likes and suits this style of play, hitting through static phases as well.

POSSIBLE ELEVENS

Italy (Luciano Spalletti): Donnarumma – Di Lorenzo, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco – Jorginho, Barella – Chiesa, Fratezzi, Pellegrini – Skamaca.

Albania (Silvinio): Berisha – Hishai, Ayeti, Tzimsiti, Mitai – Lachi, Bayrami, Aslani – Asani, Broya, Seferi.

Referee: Felix Zweier (Germany)

Field: Signal Iduna Park (81,365)