The European champions are in action at Euro 2024 just three years on from triumphing over England at Wembley in 2021. Forebet is now here for all the latest stats, trends, analysis and mathematics for their game against Albania.
This group between Italy and Albania is about as close to a ‘group of death’ as we have at Euro 2024, as Croatia and Spain also contest Group B. It is also important to remember that third place can still get out of the group, depending on the points tally of all those who finish in third.
Of course, Italy are the defending champions, but it hasn't exactly been the best run since they managed to triumph in 2021.
Prepping to shine! ✨ 🇮🇹#ITAALB #EURO2024 #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/HrYAMeTV5z— Italy ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (@Azzurri_En) June 14, 2024
Prepping to shine! ✨ 🇮🇹#ITAALB #EURO2024 #Azzurri #VivoAzzurro pic.twitter.com/HrYAMeTV5z
They didn't make it to the 2022 World Cup after failing to qualify, and they also struggled in the Nations League by drawing with England and Germany and also losing to the Germans 5-2 as well.
Back in the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Italy also had a bit of a tough run in after also losing to their Euro 2020 nemesis, England, in Rome, on matchday one.
Italy would go on to beat Malta and Ukraine shortly after, but around this time last year, they also suffered a defeat to Spain in the Nations League semi-final.
Italy slightly redeemed themselves with a win in the third place playoff against the Netherlands, as Federico Dimarco, Davide Frattesi and Federico Chiesa all netted a goal each over in the Netherlands.
A lot of people are calling Albania the dark horses at these Euros, but against Italy, Spain and Croatia, it's hard to see how they do much damage.
They did manage to win both of their buildup games by beating Liechtenstein 3-0 and Azerbaijan 3-1, but they may need a miracle to get out of this very competitive group.
This is also Albania's first Euros since 2016, having missed out on qualification last time out. Qualifying for Euro 2024, however, came relatively easy for them by losing just one of the eight games in Group E.
Albania managed to win four games as well in this group, defeating the Faroe Islands home and away, Czechia and Moldova and losing to only Poland.
They also managed to finish ahead of Poland by only goals difference in the end with 15 points each.
Forebet now predicts a win for Italy and for the game to see under 2.5 goals.