The current champion against one of the outsiders, Italy with Albania - from 21:XNUMX in Dortmund, Lučan Spalletti's team knows that they must win three points if they want to preserve their chances of passing from the toughest group at the European Championship.
The Azzurri, despite being the rulers of the Old Continent, do not belong to the group of favorites, but that was the case three years ago when they reached the throne under the command of Roberto Mancini. What can be expected now?
Spalletti has certainly restored the public's faith in the national team after not making it to the last World Cup, but now the question is simple - does this Italy have the quality to go all the way?
Federico Chieso was the main hope at the last Euro, later his career was slowed down by injuries, there is no injured Domenico Berardi, neither Ciro Imobila nor Andrea Belotti are on the list... Some new Italy will, therefore, from another plan try to gradually build something big .
- Sixty million fans expect us to be real - and we have to give them what they want to see - said Spalletti, who took over Italy after winning the Scudetto with Napoli.
The title from 2021 does not represent pressure, claims the former coach of Inter, Roma, Zenit...
- What we did three years ago remains for all time. Italy always dreams of the title, and the fact that we are not among the favorites now can only be a motive more. It will not be easy for anyone against my team - said Spaleti.
Albania is participating in the European Championships for the second time in its history, after making its debut in 2016. In a group with Italy, Croatia and Spain, every point would be like gold...
- We are not fooling ourselves and we know very well how unpleasant Albania can be - added Spaleti and referred to the work of the Brazilian Silvinho:
- He has done great things since he came. Albania is a serious team, which has balance on the field, speed... It also has quality, although many dispute that - said Spaleti.
Silvinho will oppose Italy with a team that is mainly composed of players from Serie A - there is Eljsid Hisaj from Lazio, Inter's Kristjan Aslani, Jiber Ramadani who plays for Lecce, Atalanta defender Berat Đimšiti...
- The only thing I ask from the players is not to be impressed by the opponent and the big stage. If that's the case, then I know we can show a lot - Silvinho said.
Probable lineups (3-4-3): Donaruma - Darmian, Bongiorno, Bastoni - Di Lorenzo, Barella, Jorginho, Dimarco - Fratesi, Chiesa, Skamaca;
Albania (4-2-3-1): E. Berisha - Hisaj, Ismajli, Đimšiti, Mitaj - Aslani, Ramadani - Asani, Bajrami, Seferi - Broja.
Bonus video:
