EURO 2024: What can we see from defending champion Italy's opening win?

A smooth start for the defending champions

Federico Dimarco's fatal mistake cost the home team a goal in the 23rd second of the match. Midfielder Nedim Bajrami seized the opportunity very quickly to open the score for Albania. This is also the fastest goal in the history of the finals.Euro.

However, with the spirit of the defending champion, the Italian team quickly launched counterattacks. Alessandro Baston and Nicolò Barella scored in turn to help the blue army complete the comeback in the first half.

With this victory, the Italian team has had a favorable start in defending the championship title of the tournament. Especially when Group B is considered the group of death with the presence of Italy, Spain and Croatia.

Nicolò Barella, the heart of the Italian National Team

Not Federico Chiesa, not Jorginho, Nicolò Barella is the most important factor of the Italian team at the moment. Almost all of the attacks of the blue army go through the feet of this midfielder wearing the number 18 shirt.

Nicolò Barella helped the Italian team control the game and regulate the tempo of the match. Not only that, the midfielder of Inter Milan Club also brought victory to the defending champions with a very quick kick from outside the penalty area.

It can be said that, in the context of not having many stars in the squad, Nicolò Barella is one of the biggest hopes of Italy at this year's Euro finals.

Too hard for Albania

Falling into such a difficult group makes the Albanian team's chances of advancing not much. And that was proven in the opening match.

Despite scoring an early goal in the match, coach Sylvinho's team could not create a shock in this match. The difference in class made it impossible for Armando Broja and his teammates to get 1 point against the defending champions.

However, the fighting spirit of the Albanian team was commendable, as they rose strongly in the second half and made the Italian team have a difficult opening match.

With this defeat, coach Sylvinho's team will have to try their best in the upcoming match to keep their hopes of advancing. Because the Croatian team will be their "lightest opponent" in Group B of this year's Euro finals.