Italy vs Albania LIVE! Euro 2024 match stream, latest score and goal updates today
LIVE – Updated at 19:54
Italy vs Albania LIVE!
Italy begin the defence of their European crown as they take on Albania in their Euro 2024 opener. Three years on from beating England on penalties in the final at Wembley, the Azzurri are going under the radar in Germany, with their hopes of another deep run not helped by being drawn in the ‘Group of Death’ with Spain and Croatia.
Roberto Mancini’s departure last year means it is now former Napoli boss Luciano Spalletti leading his country, and it has been a mixed bag since he took charge. Qualification for this tournament was secured via their head-to-head record against Ukraine after a nervy goalless draw in their final match, and pre-tournament friendlies against Bosnia and Herzegovina and Turkey did little to raise expectations.
Albania are competing in the Euros for the just the second time, having been knocked out in the group stage in 2016. They finished top of their qualifying group, ahead of the Czech Republic and Poland, and conceded just four goals in eight matches, a clear indication of what their approach will be this summer. Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s LIVE blog below!
Italy vs Albania latest news
- Kick-off: 8pm BST | BVB Stadion Dortmund
- How to watch: BBC One
- Italy team news: Barella fit and starts
- Albania team news: Broja leads the line
- Standard Sport prediction
Kick-off fast approaching!
19:52 , Dom Smith
Just over five minutes now until we’re underway at Signal Iduna Park!
Albania fans at Signal Iduna Park (Getty Images)
Gianluca Scamacca picked up front
19:43 , Dom Smith
Former West Ham striker Scamacca is the form guy up front and starts as Italy’s lone striker tonight. He’ll be desperate to get up and running in the tournament with a goal against unfancied Albania.
He scored 12 goals in his final 18 appearances for Atalanta at the back-end of last season.
Italy striker Gianluca Scamacca (Getty Images for FIGC)
Italy's struggles in recent years
19:42 , Dom Smith
Buffon’s warning is as may be, but Italy have failed to reach both of the last two World Cups, missing Russia 2018 as well as Qatar 2022.
They came behind England in their qualifying group ahead of this tournament, with Euros-winning coach Roberto Mancini resigning so he could take the Saudi Arabia job.
Luciano Spalletti has come in and steadied the ship. He manages Italy in a major tournament match for the first time tonight.
Italy's head of delegation, Gianluigi Buffon, fires a warning to Europe
19:33 , Dom Smith
Gianluigi Buffon believes defending champions Italy are being underestimated ahead of Euro 2024.The Italians won Euro 2020 by beating England on penalties in the final at Wembley.They head into their title defence unbeaten in six matches since October’s 3-1 defeat to England which confirmed the Three Lions would finish above them in qualifying.
But ahead of their opener against Albania in Dortmund tomorrow, Italy’s head of delegation, Buffon, said: “I believe this national team is underestimated. There are four, five or six players I would say are world class.”Ex-goalkeeper Buffon played 176 times for Italy, winning the 2006 World Cup.
The 46-year-old added: “It’s a competitive squad, especially for the strength of character of all the players. This is what surprised me the most and what made me the happiest, seeing their sense of belonging to our nation and the Italy shirt.“We have a great group, but we also have some great players that can help us have a good tournament.”
Italy's unbeaten run
19:23 , Dom Smith
The Italians arrive in Dortmund tonight in decent form, having gone unbeaten in their last six matches since a 3-1 defeat to England in October 2023 that confirmed the Three Lions would finish ahead of them in qualifying.
Italy still reached Euro 2024, though, and the defending champions are favourites to beat Albania tonight.
Albania are competing in only their second-ever European Championship, following a group-stage exit at France 2016.
Albania starting line-up
19:01 , Dom Smith
Albania XI (4-3-3): Strakosha; Hysaj, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani, Bajrami; Asani, Broja, Seferi
Subs: Berisha, Kastrati, Balliu, Manaj, Gjasula, Mihaj, Laci, Berisha, Muci, Ismajli, Daku, Abrashi, Kumbula, Aliji, Hoxha
Chelsea's Armando Broja starts for Albania (Getty Images)
Italy starting lineup
18:56 , Dom Smith
Italy XI (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Di Lorenzo, Bastoni, Calafiori, Dimarco; Jorginho, Barella; Frattesi, Pellegrini, Chiesa; Scamacca
Subs: Vicario, Meret, Buongiorno, Gatti, Raspadori, Darmian, Bellanova, Cristante, Mancini, Retegui, Zaccagni, Fagioli, El Shaarawy, Cambiaso, Folorunsho
Starting line-ups will be here shortly!
18:43 , Dom Smith
We’re just moments away now from discovering who will start the match for Italy and Albania as both sides begin their Euro 2024 campaigns.
Starting XIs on the way!
Italy vs Albania latest odds
18:33 , Dom Smith
Italy to win: 1/3
Draw: 16/5
Albania to win: 17/2
Odds via Betfair and subject to change.
An Italy fan in Dortmund before kick-off (AFP via Getty Images)
Head to head (h2h) history and results
18:23 , Dom Smith
The Italians have the upper hand when it comes to previous meetings, having won all four.
Italy wins: 4
Draws: 0
Albania wins: 0
Albania team news
18:18 , Dom Smith
Kristjan Asllani, who plies his trade in Italy with Inter Milan, is perhaps Albania’s standout player, though Chelsea’s Armando Broja – who could leave this summer – is also one to watch out for.
They have a clean bill of health ahead of taking on the Euro 2020 champions.
Italy team news
18:07 , Dom Smith
Sandro Tonali will miss the tournament after the Newcastle midfielder was banned for ten months in October following betting breaches.
Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie misses the tournament due to injury, joining the likes of Nicolo Zaniolo, Francesco Acerbi and Giorgio Scalvini on the treatment table.
Nicolo Fagioli is ruled out for just this game, while key midfield operator Nicolo Barella is a doubt.
Standard Sport's Italy vs Albania prediction
17:59 , Dom Smith
It might be doing Albania a disservice after such a strong qualification campaign but it would be a shock not to see the defending champions open with a victory.
Italy to win, 2-1.
Where to watch Italy vs Albania
17:53 , Dom Smith
TV channel: The game will be broadcast on BBC One. Coverage starts at 7.20pm.
Live stream: The BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website will both offer a free live stream service.
LIVE coverage: Follow all the action with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog!
Italy vs Albania live
17:47 , George Flood
Good evening and welcome to Standard Sport’s latest live coverage from the first full day of action at Euro 2024.
Group B continues tonight at Signal Iduna Park, home of Borussia Dortmund, where defending champions Italy will look to secure a crucial early win over potential dark horses Albania in the so-called ‘Group of Death’.
Kick-off is at 8pm BST, so stay tuned for all the latest team news, match build-up and live updates.
(Getty Images)