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Electric atmosphere pre-game that was rocking entire Dortmund. The Albanians flooded the city of Dortmund and BVB Stadium. The crowd was at full force pre-game, with excited Albanians chanting, singing, decked out in Albanian shirts and waving Albanian flags. Felt like it was a home match in Tirana.
It was clear that it was a 85/15 Albanian crowd. The support for the country is immense. They are an intense group of fans. Flares going off in the crowd before kickoff.
Speaking of the kickoff, less than a minute into the game, on a sloppy throw into the box, Albania’s Nedim Bajrami intercepts and blasts one into the top corner of the net. Goal Albania. Stunner, and likely will go down as the fastest goal in Euro history in the 30th second of the match. Crowd went mad, absolutely deafening. Wild, wild setting in Dortmund.
Instead of allowing the themselves to be shook. Italy, answered quickly. Alessandro Bastoni answers in the 11th off a powerful header from a corner kick. It’s 1-1, just like that. Crazy start to the game. Italy faced every odd against them, but showed resolve. It wasn’t enough to tie, Nicolo Barella adds to the lead in the 16th. Impressive turnaround for Italy. They lead 2-1.
Interestingly, Albania trying to play possession after second Italy goal. Instead of parking the bus with the lead, as former Italy teams would, Luciano Spalletti’s guys would not stop attacking. Italy could have added to the lead but a neat chip shot goes over Albanian goalie Thomas Strakosha and hits the post. Italy controlling the pace nonetheless going into the final 10 minutes of the half.
Albania finally had a shot on goal in the 44th after not threatening for the last 20 plus minutes. Italy nearly goes up 3-1 when a diving header by Gianluca Scamacca goes just wide of the goal post in added time.
The second half was much of the same. Italian’s still attacking, Strakosha bailing out Albania. Barella had a dangerous shot that just missed the goal with a diving Albanian Strakosha trying to stop it. Italians splitting the gaps. Albania can’t muster an attack.
Albania rode the hot early wave, but then the momentum shifted, they were behind the ball and Italian skill level. The crowd lessened up as the game wore on. Italians suffocated Albania defensively. Italy could have extended the lead, but Strakosha gets a lot of credit for making some great saves. At the end the better team picks up the three points.
Credit to the passionate and loyal Albanian fans. They came out in the thousands and were living and dying with every play. Italy prevails and marches onto a very tough game against Spain. Albania will face Croatia. This is the group of death, as evidenced by the spirited Albanian team, which will make it hard on any opponent going forward.
Incredible atmosphere at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund. I now understand what makes this stadium special. The layout is that of a classic football stadium, but it’s the seating arrangement where fans are on top of the field and the views are spectacular. It’s a bucket list experience to visit this stadium for me and I can confidently say any football lover. What a way to close out day two of the Euros.
OBSERVATIONS:
- Albanian fans literally took over the city of Dortmund, they were everywhere and it showed at the stadium where it felt like it was a game in Tirana
- Saw a few Albanian fans light up and smoke a cigarette in the stadium in their seats! Wild
- The seating in Signal Iduna Park is outstanding, so close to the action on the field, wish the yellow wall was in full-affect, but they closed off sections and narrowed the stands for the Euros
