Category: Eurosport

Holders Italy conceded the fastest goal in European Championship history but recovered to secure a narrow 2-1 victory over Albania in their Group B opener in Dortmund.

Sylvinho’s Balkan minnows sent shockwaves through the tournament inside 23 seconds when Nedim Bajrami capitalised upon an error to fire home at the near post.

The Azzurri responded through Alessandro Bastoni’s header before Nicolo Barella’s wonderful first-time strike turned it around with just 16 minutes on the clock.

Brentford shot-stopper Thomas Strakosha then tipped Davide Frattesi’s dink on to the post and was alert to keep out Gianluca Scamacca as Luciano Spalletti’s men pushed for the third.

Italy continued to dominate following the interval but could not add to their margin of victory and were almost made to pay in stoppage time when substitute Rey Manaj clipped just wide.

The win sees Italy assume second spot in Group B behind leaders Spain on goal difference. Albania are third with Croatia bottom after the first fixtures in the pool.

Next up, Albania meet Croatia on Wednesday afternoon while Spain face Italy on Thursday.

The pre-tournament talk was about reigning champions Italy having low expectations given the rebuild under Spalletti and there was certainly cause for alarm when Albania made mid-match headlines with a historic early strike.

The underdogs are the second lowest-ranked side in the competition but got off to a flyer and may feel they should have taken more risks in the latter stages with just the one goal in it.

To their credit, Italy responded quickly to the instant setback and controlled the majority of the match, particularly with the pressure on after Spain lay down an early marker with their win over Croatia earlier in the day.

La Roja are next up for the holders and that may well decide who tops the group. Italy looked impressive but perhaps need to offer more potency in attack. Indeed, the performance and result against Spain will provide a better barometer of where The Azzurri stand going forward.

Nicolo Barella (Italy). The Inter midfielder pulled the strings at the heart of the side and demonstrated just how important his fitness is to their hopes. Capped a superb showing with a wonderful goal and barely put a foot wrong.

ITALY: Donnarumma 7, Di Lorenzo 8, Calafiori 7, Bastoni 8, Dimarco 7, Barella 9, Jorginho 7, Frattesi 8, Pellegrini 8, Chiesa 8, Scamacca 7. Subs: Cambiaso 6, Cristante 6, Retegui n/a, Darmian n/a, Folorunsho n/a.

ALBANIA: Strakosha 8, Hysaj 7, Ajeti 7, Djimsiti 7, Mitaj 7, Asllani 7, Ramadani 7, Bajrami 8, Asani 7, Broja 7, Seferi 7. Subs: Laci 6, Hoxha 6, Manaj 6, Muci n/a.

01’ – GOAL! – Italy 0-1 Albania: (Bajrami) What. A. Start! Nedim Bajrami seizes upon an error from Federico Dimarco and rifles a rising shot beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma at his near post.

11’ – GOAL! – Italy 1-1 Albania: (Bastoni) Alessandro Bastoni is left unmarked to nod home at the far post after a short corner on the left had caught Albania cold.

16’ – GOAL! – Italy 2-1 Albania: (Barella) Nicolò Barella rifles a superb first-time 20-yard shot with the outside of his foot into the corner after Albania had failed to clear their lines.

33’ – ITALY CHANCE! The Azzurri win the ball high up the pitch and Scamacca quickly finds Davide Frattesi, but his dink is brilliantly tipped on to the post by Thomas Strakosha.

90’ – ALBANIA CHANCE! Substitute Rey Manaj takes down a brilliant, diagonal ball on the right side of the box but can’t find the clipped finish as Gianluigi Donnarumma gets the merest of touches to divert it wide.