On June 15, 2024, defending champions Italy will kick off their UEFA Euro 2024 campaign at Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. Facing off against Albania, the Azzurri aim to secure a crucial victory in their Group B opener, hoping to set the stage for a successful run to the knockout stages for the fifth consecutive major European tournament.
Italy’s Preparedness and Tactical Approach
Italy, under the guidance of coach Luciano Spalletti, who stepped in last September following the unexpected resignation of Euro 2020-winning manager Roberto Mancini, enters this match with a mix of resilience and determination. Despite the setbacks of losing key defenders Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini to injury before the tournament, Spalletti has managed to maintain the team’s defensive solidity, evidenced by back-to-back clean sheets in recent friendlies against Turkey (0-0) and Bosnia (1-0). Italy’s history of strong starts in the European Championships, including ‘to-nil’ victories over Turkey (3-0) and Belgium (2-0), boosts their confidence heading into this match.
Albania’s Determination and Recent Form
Albania is participating in its second major European tournament, having made its debut in 2016, where it finished third in the group stage. This time around, Sylvinho’s side topped their qualifying group ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland (W4, D3, L1), showcasing their improved form with two comfortable pre-tournament friendly victories, each featuring three goals. Albania’s solid defensive record, conceding just four goals during the qualification campaign, indicates they are prepared for a tactical battle against Italy.
Key Players to Watch
For Italy, all eyes will be on Gianluca Scamacca, who has had an impressive season with Atalanta, scoring 19 competitive goals, including eleven before halftime. Scamacca’s goal-scoring prowess will be crucial in breaking down Albania’s defense. On the Albanian side, Sassuolo’s Nenad Bajrami will be a player to watch, bringing extra motivation and contributing significantly to Albania’s recent success with two goals and one assist in their last two matches.
Match Prediction
Given Italy’s impressive defensive record and their historical dominance over Albania, including a 3-1 victory in their last encounter in 2022, the Azzurri are favorites to secure a win. However, Albania’s recent form and tactical discipline mean they could provide a stern test. A narrow victory for Italy, possibly 2-0, seems the most likely outcome, keeping in line with their tradition of strong starts in the European Championships.
