The Italy Men's National Team got their 2024 European Championship underway with a 2-1 win over Albania in Dortmund, despite falling behind after just 23 seconds.

A poor throw-in from Federico Dimarco and some sleepy defending from Inter teammate Alessandro Bastoni allowed Sassuolo's Nedim Bajrami to fire in what was the fastest goal in European Championship history.

The Azzurri didn't let their heads go down, though, and by the 16th minute, Luciano Spalletti's side were winning 2-1. A great ball from Lorenzo Pellegrini was headed in by Bastoni, and then Nicolo Barella met a loose ball on the bounce and netted the second impressively.

Italy created plenty of chances and will have expected to score more goals, with Albania not threatening until the dying moments when Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off an important save. The Azzurri will next face Spain on Thursday, June 20, with La Roja having beaten Croatia 3-0.

The Total Italian Football Podcast is here with Conor Clancy, Kev Pogorzelski and Euan Burns to chat through the action at the Westfalenstadion.

Player ratings: https://total-italianfootball.com/italy-albania-player-ratings-euro-2024

Reaction article: https://total-italianfootball.com/italy-euro-2024-barella-bastoni-vital/

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