Inter midfielder’s partnership with Jorginho is earning media plaudits after Euro 2024 win over Albania Nicolò Barella did not relish being reminded he has scored more international goals than any other player in Italy’s squad at Euro 2024. “That worries me a bit,” he said when the detail was put to him at the end of the 2-1 win against Albania on Saturday. “It means I’m getting old.” At 27, Barella is hardly in the twilight of his career. There are plenty of older players representing the Azzurri in Germany, and yet only one outfielder, Jorginho, has been capped more times. The Arsenal player made his 55th Italy appearance against Albania. Barella is on 54. Continue reading...

Cesc Fabregas claims Federico Chiesa will be 'very important' for Italy following a impressive display in the 2-1 victory against Albania.

Italy’s title defence is alive and well for now. Expectations around Luciano Spalletti’s new-look side have been low but this win over the tournament’s rank outsiders, achieved despite a monumental scare inside the opening minute, was ultimately conducted with a familiar air of authority. Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella stepped up when demanded with decisive interventions in a remarkable opening quarter and the remainder was a successful exercise in the kind of game management that once seemed a national pastime. Such a narrow margin of defeat may yet prove useful to Albania’s hopes of scraping third place in the group of death. If that proves unattainable they will, at least, depart with something to remember them by. Nedim Bajrami’s emphatic finish was the fastest goal in European Championship history and lifted the roof from a stadium that has surely never hosted anything like the fervent Albanian influx that descended here. Continue reading...

Albania's Nedim Bajrami broke the record for the fastest goal in European Championship history after scoring in the 23rd second of their group stage encounter with Italy.

Italy have been challenged to show no fear when they start the defence of their European crown against Albania.