On 11 June 2016, Albania made history by playing their first-ever match at a men’s major tournament finals, losing to Switzerland. On 19 June they made more history: A first goal, scored by Armando Sadiku, then an hour later a first win, secured by that one goal to nil over Romania. They’ve never been to a tournament again since, until now, but if more history awaits them they are going to have to pull off one of the greatest shocks of recent European Championship history.
By Karl Matchett
In their group, Spain are two-time Euro winners in the last decade and a half. Croatia, while not historically good at the Euros, made the 2018 World Cup final and the 2022 semis just 18 months ago. And their first opponents, Italy, are the current reigning champions.
It’s a monstrous task for Albania to be sure, yet some hope remains. Firstly, in experience: from that historic win over Romania, goalkeeper Etrit Berisha and full-back Elseid Hysaj both remain in the squad, now third-and vice-captain respectively. Others involved then also remain, while Sadiku himself was still part of the national team up until last year.
Perhaps more importantly, several are playing at a very high level around Europe: Hysaj at Lazio, Berat Djimsiti at Atalanta, Kristjan Asllani at Inter, Armando Broja at Fulham. And maybe most importantly, Rey Manaj at Sivasspor, a striker in great form this past campaign and rediscovering the international goalscoring touch too. He hadn’t netted for Albania for almost three years, but did so in a warmup before the Euros – he’ll be crucial to their hopes of an upset.
And what an upset it would be: even if Italy failed to reach the last World Cup, they won the last Euros.
Expectation is upon them, from Luciano Spalletti in the dugout to Gigi Donnarumma with the captain’s armband and almost every attacking name in the squad. Only three players have clubs outside of Italy, and plenty are at sides with standout years behind them: five from Inter’s title-winning squad, four from Juventus and Roma – and Gianluca Scamacca, who just won the Europa League with Atalanta.
He may hold the key to how far Italy go. Others have to be the supply line and provide both on and off-the-ball quality as the Azzurri seek to find their way again, but the consistency of Scamacca’s 19-goal campaign at club level needs to be replicated on the international stage.
So many questions remain of them after three years of underperformance – it’s time to hit back with answers.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
You can follow every game from Euro 2024 live with FotMob — featuring deep stats coverage, xG, and player ratings. Download the free app here.