Italy Preview & Form
Italy enters the Euro 2024 with an impressive six-match unbeaten streak, positioning themselves as a notable contender in the tournament. Despite their reputation as dark horses, Italy's recent performances have been a testament to their potential to challenge the top teams. It’s worth noting that Italy failed to qualify for the last two World Cups, which has added a layer of determination and grit to their approach this time around.
Luciano Spalletti, the mastermind behind Italy's revamped strategy, has injected new vigor and tactical flexibility into the team. This transformation has been evident as Italy went unbeaten in their last six friendly matches, showcasing their readiness for competitive fixtures. The team’s March friendlies saw them secure wins against Venezuela and Ecuador, and they followed that by drawing 0-0 at home to Turkey. In their final European Championship warm-up game, Italy edged out Bosnia-Herzegovina with a narrow 1-0 victory.
As they gear up to face Albania in their opening Group B match, Italy is aiming for a strong start. Spalletti and his squad will be satisfied with nothing less than three points from this fixture, setting the tone for their campaign.
Albania Preview & Form
Albania’s journey to Euro 2024 has been nothing short of remarkable, as they secured qualification for only the second time in their history. Their path to the tournament included notable victories against Poland and the Czech Republic, catapulting them into the spotlight. Despite being perceived as the biggest underdog in Group B, Albania's resilience and tenacity cannot be overlooked.
Albania will face Italy in their opening match, followed by challenging encounters against Croatia and Spain. Their preparations included solid performances in friendlies, where they dominated Liechtenstein with a 3-0 win and overcame Azerbaijan 3-1. The team boasts a balanced mix of experience and youthful talent, making them an unpredictable yet formidable opponent.
Italy vs Albania: Starting Lineups
Both teams have announced their probable lineups for the match, adding an extra layer of excitement for the fans:
Italy Probable Lineup (3-4-1-2): Gianluigi Donnarumma; Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Buongiorno, Alessandro Bastoni; Andrea Cambiaso, Bryan Cristante, Jorginho, Federico Dimarco; Lorenzo Pellegrini; Gianluca Scamacca, Federico Chiesa.
Albania Probable Lineup (4-2-1-3): Etrit Berisha; Elseid Hysaj, Ardian Ismajli, Berat Djimsiti, Mario Mitaj; Kristjan Asllani, Ylber Ramadani; Nedim Bajrami; Yasir Asani, Armando Broja, Taulant Seferi.
Italy vs Albania: Team News
Italy Euro 2024 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Gianluigi Donnarumma (Paris Saint-Germain), Alex Meret (Napoli), Guglielmo Vicario (Tottenham).
Defenders: Alessandro Bastoni (Inter), Raoul Bellanova (Torino), Alessandro Buongiorno (Torino), Andrea Cambiaso (Juventus), Riccardo Calafiori (Bologna), Matteo Darmian (Inter), Federico Dimarco (Inter), Giovanni Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Gianluca Mancini (Roma), Federico Gatti (Juventus).
Midfielders: Nicolo Barella (Inter), Bryan Cristante (Roma), Michael Folorunsho (Verona), Davide Frattesi (Inter), Jorginho (Arsenal), Lorenzo Pellegrini (AS Roma), Nicolo Fagioli (Juventus).
Forwards: Mattia Zaccagni (Lazio), Federico Chiesa (Juventus), Stephan El Shaarawy (Roma), Giacomo Raspadori (Napoli), Mateo Retegui (Genoa), Gianluca Scamacca (Atalanta).
Albania Euro 2024 Squad:
Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Empoli), Elhan Kastrati (Cittadella), Thomas Strakosha (Brentford).
Defenders: Arlind Ajeti (CFR Cluj), Naser Aliji (Voluntari), Ivan Balliu (Rayo Vallecano), Berat Djimsiti (Atalanta), Elseid Hysaj (Lazio), Ardian Ismajli (Empoli), Enea Mihaj (Famalicao), Mario Mitaj (Lokomotiv Moscow), Marash Kumbulla (Sassuolo).
Midfielders: Amir Abrashi (Grasshoppers), Kristjan Asllani (Inter), Nedim Bajrami (Sassuolo), Medon Berisha (Lecce), Klaus Gjasula (Darmstadt 98), Qazim Laci (Sparta Prague), Ernest Muci (Besiktas), Ylber Ramadani (Lecce).
Forwards: Yasir Asani (Gwangju FC), Armando Broja (Fulham), Mirlind Daku (Rubin Kazan), Arber Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb), Rey Manaj (Sivasspor), Taulant Seferi (Baniyas).
Italy vs Albania H2H Record (Last Five Games)
Italy has historically demonstrated dominance over Albania in their past encounters. They are currently on a four-match winning streak against the Albanians, reinforcing their position as favorites for the upcoming clash. A victory would not only extend their winning run but also put them in an advantageous position in Group B.
Italy vs Albania Prediction and Betting Tips
Given Italy’s impressive form and tactical superiority, they are expected to secure a win against Albania. Italy understands the importance of starting their campaign on a high note, and a victory in their opening match would set a positive tone for the rest of the tournament. We predict that Italy will emerge triumphant with a 2-0 scoreline.