The star of Italy, reigning champion, did not shine against Albania (2-1) for his debut at the Euro, Saturday, a sluggish victory in contrast to that of Spain against Croatia (3-0) and Switzerland against Hungary (3-1).
The Azzurri, astonishing winners in 2021, conceded the fastest goal in history in a European championship, after 23 seconds of play, scored by Nedim Bajrami.
They quickly rectified the situation, through Alessandro Bastoni (11e) and Nicolo Barella (16e), and this allowed them to avoid an embarrassing poor performance against modest Albania, 66e team in the Fifa ranking.
The team led by the short-lived Lyon coach Sylvinho even caused a big thrill, and above all a threatening ball, in front of Gianluigi Donnarumma’s cage in the 90the minute.
Coach Luciano Spalletti has work to do to put the Nazionale at the level of the other favorites, such as the German host country, merciless on Friday against Scotland (5-1), and Spain, too powerful for an aging Croatia.
Yamal, 16 years old
Paris SG midfielder Fabian Ruiz, passer for Alvaro Morata (29e) and author of the second goal (32e), was the great architect of the success of La Roja against the Vatreni (“the Ardents”), finalists of the 2018 World Cup.
Dani Carvajal hit the nail on the head (45th+2), served by FC Barcelona nugget Lamine Yamal who became the youngest player to play a Euro match at 16 years and 338 days.
“I’m happy with this start to the final phase and to score more, it’s a dream start,” said Carvajal, European champion with Real Madrid.
At the end of the match, on a failed restart from goalkeeper Simon, Rodri sacrificed himself by committing a foul on Bruno Petkovic, punished by a penalty. But Petkovic came up against the goalkeeper and, served by Perisic, he finally scored but the goal was invalidated for an offside position by the Croatian passer (79e).
Spain, three times victorious in the continental tournament in 1964, 2008 and 2012, however experienced two scares: Morata came out visibly injured (67e) and Rodri left the field at the end of the match without knowing whether he was injured or suffering from cramps.
Swiss lesson
The kick-off of this German Euro, which marks the return to a classic format after the 2021 edition split between 11 countries on the continent, was given on Friday evening in Munich and it was fantastic.
In front of more than 65,000 spectators and in a festive atmosphere, Germany more than succeeded in its debut, with a demonstration of strength and enthusiasm against Scotland, totally overwhelmed.
Saturday at the Cologne stadium, it was the Swiss who gave a little lesson to the Hungarians, non-existent and technically weak especially in the first period (3-1).
In this second match of Group A, the Swiss Michel Aebischer became the first Nati player to score and deliver an assist in the same match at the Euro (12e45e). Returning from the locker room, the Hungarians raised their voice, reducing the score (2-1, 66th). The Swiss sealed the fate of the match at the end of the match (3-1, 90th+3).
England, another favorite with France, launches its tournament on Sunday (9 p.m.) against Serbia in Gelsenkirchen, a meeting that the local authorities are closely monitoring.
On Saturday, more than fifty Italian “high-risk fans” were arrested in Dortmund before the kick-off of the match against Albania, German police said.