Reigning champions Italy begin the defence of their European Championship with a showdown against Albania.
The 2020 winners, who beat England on penalties in the final at Wembley, have been drawn into the tournament’s ‘Group of Death’.
The Azzurri have struggled since lifting the trophy having missed out on the 2022 World Cup and then only squeezing into second place in England’s qualifying Group C having lost home and away against the Three Lions.
Luciano Spalletti has impressed since replacing Roberto Mancini in August 2023 but faces a huge task in his first major tournament.
Albania are considered the rank outsiders of the group, with European giants Italy, Spain, and Croatia.
However, the Red and Blacks, spearheaded by manager Sylvinho, only conceded four goals in qualifying en route to beating Poland and the Czech Republic to top their group.
Italy vs Albania: Date and how to follow
This Group B showdown will take place on Saturday, June 15.
Kick-off at Borussia Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park will be at 8pm UK time.
talkSPORT will have full coverage of the match and more details will follow nearer to the tournament.
To tune in to talkSPORT or talkSPORT 2 through the website, click HERE for the live stream.
You can also listen via the talkSPORT app, on DAB digital radio, through your smart speaker and on 1089 or 1053 AM.
The tie will also be shown on free-to-air TV on BBC One.
Italy vs Albania: Team news and squads
Arsenal and Tottenham both have stars in Italy’s provisional 30-man squad with Jorginho and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario making the cut.
The latter’s teammate for Spurs, Destiny Udogie, has missed out after undergoing surgery on an injury in April.
Marco Verratti, Juventus midfielder Manuel Locatelli, and Lazio striker Ciro Immobile were notable absentees from Italy’s long-list.
Locatelli’s Juve pal Nicolo Fagioli is included despite only recently returning from a seven-month ban for breaching betting rules.
A longer suspension for a similar infringement has sidelined Newcastle star Sandro Tonali as he will not be available until August.
Italy preliminary squad
- Goalkeepers: Donnarumma (PSG), Vicario (Tottenham), Meret (Napoli), Provedel (Lazio)
- Defenders: Acerbi (Inter), Bastoni (Inter), Darmian (Inter), Scalvini (Atalanta), Buongiorno (Torino), Mancini (Roma), Calafiori (Bologna), Di Lorenzo (Napoli), Bellanova (Torino), Dimarco (Inter), Cambiaso (Juventus)
- Midfielders: Barella (Inter), Frattesi (Inter), Cristante (Roma), Pellegrini (Roma), Fagioli (Juventus), Jorginho (Arsenal), Ricci (Torino), Folorunsho (Hellas Verona)
- Forwards: Chiesa (Juventus), Raspadori (Napoli), Retegui (Genoa), Scamacca (Atalanta), Orsolini (Bologna), Zaccagni (Lazio), El Shaarawy (Roma)
Albania preliminary squad
- Goalkeepers: Berisha (Empoli), Strakosha (Brentford), Kastrati (Cittadella), Simoni (Eintracht Frankfurt)
- Defenders: Gjimshiti (Atalanta), Hysaj (Lazio), Balliu (Rayo Vallecano), Ismajli (Empoli), Ajeti (CFR Cluj), Aliji (Voluntari), Mitaj (Lokomotiv Moscow), Mihaj (Famalicao), Kumbulla (Sassuolo)
- Midfielders: Abrashi (Grasshoppers), Asllani (Inter Milan), Bajrami (Sassuolo), Berisha (Lecce), Gjasula (Darmstadt 98), Laçi (Sparta Prague), Muçi (Beşiktaş), Ramadani (Lecce)
- Forwards: Asani (Gwangju FC), Broja (Chelsea), Daku (Rubin Kazan), Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb), Manaj (Sivasspor), Seferi (Baniyas)
Italy vs Albania: Players to watch
Federico Chiesa
Italy’s major problems this summer are in attack, with Gianluca Scamacca boasting just one goal in 15 appearances for his country.
The Azzurri therefore will be desperate for Chiesa to recapture his form of Euro 2020 where he lit up the tournament.
The Juventus star scored twice, completed the second-most dribbles behind England’s Raheem Sterling, and was slowly fulfilling his potential by becoming one of Europe’s best wingers.
A slow return to form and fitness following a horror ACL injury in 2022 has slowed Chiesa’s progress.
However, the 26-year-old managed nine goals in Serie A this season – his best return since his double-digits haul for Fiorentina in 19/20 – and could be primed for a big tournament for Italy.
Armando Broja
The 22-year-old will be desperate to impress in his first major tournament with the pressure of his country on his shoulders.
Like Chiesa, Broja’s development was hammered by an ACL injury and he managed just one Premier League goal in 13 appearances at Chelsea this season.
Having been deemed surplus to requirements, the striker hoped to have secured some much-needed playing time and rebuild his form at the Blues’ neighbours Fulham.
However, the sudden emergence of Rodrigo Muniz meant Broja featured just eight times for the Cottagers and failed to score.
Chelsea’s financial issues will mean Broja will likely be sold after Euro 2024 and the club’s academy graduate will need to put himself in the shop window with his performances to secure the best move possible.
Italy vs Albania: What has been said?
Spalletti has admitted Italy are not favourites at Euro 2024 despite coming into the tournament as defending champions.
He told Sky Italia: “It’s the highest moment of my career.
“It’s like I am living in paradise because I am preparing the national team for the Euros.
“As I’ve already said, I will try to give my best. I don’t know if it will be enough. We’ll have to clarify some things: we have strong footballers, so we must make them become a team, and if we make it, I am convinced we can play on par with teams that, at the moment, are on a higher level.
“However, we have this period to work together. We have our history which is fundamental.”
News Summary:
- Italy vs Albania LIVE commentary: Date, venue and match preview ahead of Euro 2024 clash as Azzurri begin title defence
- Check all news and articles from the latest Football updates.