Bastoni and Barella Rescue Italy in Albania Win: Azzurri Start Euro 2024 Qualifying Campaign with a Scare

Italy overcame a stubborn Albania side to secure a 1-0 victory in their opening Euro 2024 qualifying match, with Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolo Barella proving to be the difference-makers.

The Azzurri dominated possession and created numerous chances, but struggled to find a way past a resilient Albanian defense. It was ultimately Bastoni who broke the deadlock in the 90th minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse to head home a crucial goal. Barella, meanwhile, shone with his energetic midfield displays, dictating the tempo and providing the creative spark that the Azzurri desperately needed.

Despite the victory, Luciano Spalletti’s side will be disappointed with their performance, failing to convert their dominance into a convincing win. Albania, playing in a tight and compact formation, proved difficult to break down, limiting Italy’s attacking threat and holding them to just one goal.

This result marks the beginning of Italy’s journey towards Euro 2024 qualification, with the Azzurri aiming to repeat their success from Euro 2020. While the performance against Albania left much to be desired, the winning start will provide a much-needed boost of confidence as they look ahead to their upcoming challenges.

Key Takeaways:

Italy secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Albania in their opening Euro 2024 qualifying match.
Alessandro Bastoni scored the decisive goal in the 90th minute, while Nicolo Barella shone with his midfield performance.
The Azzurri dominated possession but struggled to break down a resolute Albanian defense.
Luciano Spalletti’s side will be seeking improvements in their upcoming qualifying matches.

Keywords: Italy, Albania, Euro 2024, qualifying, Alessandro Bastoni, Nicolo Barella, Luciano Spalletti, Azzurri, victory, performance, dominance, defense, goal, midfield, confidence, journey, success, Euro 2020.