The Dortmund BVB Stadion erupted in a sea of red as tens of thousands of Albania fans celebrated an early lead. Nedim Bajrami capitalized on a defensive error, scoring a blistering goal after just 23 seconds. The stadium shook with the roar of the crowd, but Italy remained composed.
Italy, unfazed by the early setback, responded with determination. Just 11 minutes in, Bastoni headed home an equalizer from a short corner, silencing the opposing fans. The Azzurri continued to press forward, and Barella put them ahead with a powerful strike from outside the box just minutes later.
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| A thrilling moment in the match: Albania’s Jasir Asani challenges Italy’s Riccardo Calafiori. Photo: Reuters |
Italian dominance continued as Davide Frattesi came close to extending their lead, only to be denied by an impressive save from Albanian goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha. The Albanians, despite their strong lineup of Serie A players, struggled to keep up with Italy’s fast and fluid passing game.
The new-look Italy, under the guidance of coach Luciano Spalletti, showcased their depth as central defender Riccardo Calafiori, on only his third international appearance, stepped up in the absence of more experienced teammates due to injuries.
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| A dejected Elseid Hysaj of Albania after the match. Photo: Reuters |
Spalletti, the former Napoli coach, took over the national team following Roberto Mancini’s controversial departure. He praised his players for their resilience and character, acknowledging that there is still room for improvement.
Albania’s coach, Sylvinho, acknowledged the tension his team faced in their second major tournament appearance. Despite the loss, he commended his players for their performance against a strong Italian side.
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| A fierce battle between Italy’s Alessandro Bastoni and Albania’s Arber Hoxha. Photo: Reuters |
The tournament in Germany holds significant importance for Italy, aiming to reclaim their place in the World Cup after recent qualification setbacks. With a crucial victory over Albania, Italy now prepares for a tougher challenge against Spain, who convincingly defeated Croatia 3-0. Albania, meanwhile, will look to bounce back in their upcoming match against Croatia on Wednesday in Group B.
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