By Shantanu 
Italy National Football Team vs Albania National Football Team stats are a point of great interest for football fans, especially when these two teams meet on the international stage. Italy, one of the most successful national teams in football history, faces off against Albania, a side known for its passionate fanbase and growing footballing reputation. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at their head-to-head performances, tactical differences, key player statistics, and the latest trends surrounding this matchup.
Historical Head-to-Head Record
Italy and Albania have met a handful of times over the years, with Italy usually coming out on top due to their more established footballing pedigree. However, Albania has occasionally shown that they can be a tough opponent for the Azzurri, with some games featuring surprising moments of resilience.
Key Encounters
One of the most notable matches between Italy and Albania took place during the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. In their first meeting in 2016, Italy triumphed 2-0 at home, with goals from Eder and Graziano Pellè. When they met in 2017, Albania put up a strong fight in their 1-0 defeat in Palermo, showing that they could compete with higher-ranked teams.
Although Italy has generally been dominant in their encounters, Albania’s performances in qualifiers and friendlies have made them a side to watch in the international arena. Their tactical discipline, led by their experienced manager, often frustrates stronger teams.
Head-to-Head Stats
Matches Played: 6
Italy Wins: 4
Albania Wins: 1
Draws: 1
Goals Scored (Italy): 13
Goals Scored (Albania): 4
While Italy holds the upper hand, Albania’s defensive resilience has made their encounters competitive. Their lone victory against Italy came in 2014, with a famous 1-0 win, which remains a high point in Albanian footballing history.
Italy National Football Team: Strengths and Stats
Italy’s national football team is synonymous with tactical sophistication, having a rich history of success in major tournaments. The Azzurri have four World Cup titles and two European Championship trophies to their name, with a legacy of defensive solidity and disciplined counter-attacking football.
Recent Form
Under the management of Roberto Mancini, Italy has undergone a resurgence. The team’s attacking play has become more fluid, while retaining the famous Italian defensive solidity. Italy’s performance in the 2020 UEFA European Championship, where they triumphed in the final against England, showcased their ability to combine possession-based football with devastating counter-attacks.
In World Cup qualifiers and the Nations League, Italy has remained a formidable force, often dominating possession and creating a significant number of goal-scoring chances. With players like Marco Verratti, Leonardo Bonucci, and Ciro Immobile, Italy is consistently a contender on the international stage.
Key Stats for Italy
Goals per Match (Recent Fixtures): 2.0
Clean Sheets (Recent Matches): 5 in the last 10 games
Top Scorer: Ciro Immobile
Pass Accuracy: 88%
Italy’s approach revolves around maintaining possession, dictating the tempo of the game, and creating opportunities through intelligent midfield play. With a solid defence and key attacking players, Italy’s tactical flexibility is a major strength.
Albania National Football Team: Tactical Resilience
Albania may not have the same footballing history as Italy, but their recent rise on the international stage has been impressive. The team is known for its disciplined defensive setup and ability to cause problems on the counter-attack. Albania’s growth has been marked by consistent performances in World Cup and European qualifiers.
Recent Form
In recent years, Albania has shown that they are capable of competing with some of Europe’s top teams. While they have not qualified for major tournaments since Euro 2016, Albania has caused a few surprises in the qualifiers, earning valuable points and showing resilience against more established sides. Under manager Edy Reja, Albania has focused on defensive organisation and creating chances through set-pieces and quick breaks.
Albania’s team is largely based around hard-working players, with a strong defensive core. Players like Berat Djimsiti and Elseid Hysaj are key to their defensive stability, while players such as Armando Broja and Rey Manaj offer a threat going forward.
Key Stats for Albania
Goals per Match (Recent Fixtures): 1.3
Clean Sheets (Recent Matches): 3 in the last 10 games
Top Scorer: Armando Broja
Possession Rate: 43%
Albania’s style of play revolves around tight defensive organisation, with counter-attacks and set-pieces being key to their offensive game. They have often frustrated more prominent teams with their compact formation and tactical discipline.
Tactical Comparison: Italy’s Dominance vs Albania’s Counter-Attacks
Italy’s Approach
Italy’s footballing style under Roberto Mancini is a blend of possession-based play and rapid transitions. The team generally plays with a 4-3-3 formation, with emphasis on controlling the midfield and creating overloads in wide areas. Italy’s central midfielders like Verratti and Jorginho dictate play, while full-backs such as Leonardo Spinazzola and Giovanni Di Lorenzo provide width and attacking support.
Against Albania, Italy will look to dominate possession, control the tempo, and break down Albania’s defensive setup. Their attacking players, including Immobile and Nicolo Barella, will look to exploit any spaces that appear through quick passing and intelligent movement.
Albania’s Approach
Albania’s style is more pragmatic. They often set up in a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 formation, prioritising a solid defensive structure with midfielders playing an important role in limiting space. Albania is known for playing on the counter-attack, quickly transitioning from defence to attack with fast wingers and forwards.
Against Italy, Albania’s primary goal will be to frustrate their opponents, limit the space in central areas, and disrupt Italy’s rhythm. They will rely heavily on set-pieces and fast breaks, hoping to capitalise on any mistakes made by the Italian defence.
Key Players to Watch
For Italy, Ciro Immobile is the player to watch. As the team’s top scorer, Immobile’s ability to find space and finish chances is crucial to Italy’s attacking success. In midfield, Marco Verratti’s creativity and control over the game will be essential in breaking down Albania’s defensive setup.
For Albania, Armando Broja is the key player up front. Broja’s pace and physicality make him a dangerous player on the counter-attack. Defensively, players like Berat Djimsiti and Elseid Hysaj will be tasked with stopping Italy’s attacking threats and ensuring that Albania’s defence remains resolute.
Social Media Buzz and Trends
The Italy National Football Team vs Albania National Football Team matchup has been a topic of conversation across various platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Meta. Fans have been sharing their thoughts on potential lineups, discussing Italy’s tactical evolution under Mancini, and how Albania might look to disrupt Italy’s rhythm.
Trending hashtags such as #ItalyAlbania and #Azzurri have been used by football analysts and fans alike to discuss tactics, players to watch, and expectations for upcoming fixtures. With more content being created around the technical aspects of the game, football YouTube channels and TikTok creators have generated buzz with pre-match analysis and breakdowns.
Final Thoughts
The Italy National Football Team vs Albania National Football Team stats highlight a clear disparity in terms of historical success, but also underscore the tactical challenges that Albania presents. Italy’s dominance, both in terms of quality and consistency, gives them the edge, but Albania’s disciplined approach and ability to cause upsets should never be underestimated.
For Italy, the key will be maintaining possession, breaking down Albania’s defensive block, and converting chances. For Albania, frustrating Italy’s flow and capitalising on set-pieces and counter-attacks will be their main strategy. As the teams meet again on the international stage, fans can expect an exciting clash between Italy’s tactical sophistication and Albania’s resilience.
FAQs
What were the highlights of the recent Italy vs Albania match in Euro 2024?
Italy defeated Albania 2-1 in their Euro 2024 opener. Albania made a historic start with Nedim Bajrami scoring the fastest goal in European Championship history just 23 seconds into the match. Italy quickly turned the game around with goals from Alessandro Bastoni and Nicolò Barella, securing a narrow victory in Dortmund.
How has the Italy national team performed against Albania historically?
Italy maintains a perfect record against Albania, having won all five encounters. These matches have included competitive fixtures and friendlies, with Italy consistently showcasing their dominance.
Which players stood out in the Italy vs Albania Euro 2024 game?
Nicolò Barella and Alessandro Bastoni shone for Italy, scoring pivotal goals. On the Albanian side, Nedim Bajrami’s early strike was a standout moment. Additionally, Albanian players with Italian club ties brought a sense of familiarity to the game.
What are the latest trends on social media about this match?
On platforms like X (formerly Twitter), hashtags such as #ITAALB and #EURO2024 are trending. Discussions focus on Bajrami’s record-breaking goal and Italy’s defensive resilience without veterans like Chiellini and Bonucci.
What does this result mean for both teams in Euro 2024?
Italy has started their campaign strongly, aiming to defend their title. For Albania, despite the loss, their qualification journey and spirited performance against a European giant have earned praise, signaling their growing stature in international football.
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