Football

Italy and Croatia, both wounded from recent defeats, face a decisive clash on Monday in Group B of Euro 2024. Italy's 1-0 loss to Spain and Croatia's 2-2 draw with Albania have left both teams on the brink of elimination.Italy, currently second in the group with three points, can secure a spot in the last 16 as runners-up if they avoid defeat. However, they will be eliminated if they lose and Albania defeats group winners Spain.Croatia, on the other hand, is in a more precarious position. After a 3-0 loss to Spain in their opening match, they are bottom of the table with just one point. They can only progress as runners-up if they beat Italy and Albania fails to beat Spain.A draw is unlikely to be enough for either team, as no team has advanced to the next round with only two points since the Euro finals expanded to 24 teams in 2016.Italy's loss to Spain has sparked widespread criticism and soul-searching. The Italian media has denounced the team's performance as "Little Italy" and demanded a "Reset." The loss was narrow, but it could have been far more emphatic, as Spain's 20 attempts on goal contrasted with Italy's four, their fewest in a Euro or World Cup match since at least 1980.Croatia's struggles have also come as a surprise. The team reached the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar two years ago and the final in 2018. "We didn’t expect to have such a difficult story in these two matches, it has been a struggle," said coach Zlatko Dalic after their draw with Albania.A major issue for Croatia has been their slow starts to games. They conceded three goals to Spain in the first half and fell behind to Albania within 11 minutes. While their technical ability is not in question, they have seemed flat in the final third and been unable to build sustained pressure.With midfield maestro Luka Modric now 38, converted full-back Ivan Perisic, 35, and forward Andrej Kramaric, 33, Dalic has kept faith with the old guard that has served him so well in the past. However, this tournament could be one too far for a side that has frequently surpassed expectations."The World Cup was two years ago and slowly our players are getting older, and this whole tournament has shown us that everyone is having a hard time," Dalic said.

Spain, the three-time European champion, has advanced to the round of 16 at Euro 2024 after a dominant 1-0 victory over defending champion Italy on Thursday. A 55th-minute own goal by Riccardo Calafiori settled the Group B game at the Veltins Arena in Gelsenkirchen.Spain's performance was a statement of intent, showcasing their resurgence and marking them as one of the favorites to win a record-extending fourth European Championship. "I think it was the best Spain performance I have taken charge of," said coach Luis de la Fuente. "I don't see a ceiling on this team. The sky is the limit."Spain totally dominated Italy, with 16-year-old winger Lamine Yamal further enhancing his reputation as one of soccer's most exciting young stars. Player of the match Nico Williams also tormented Italy's defenders and was inches away from scoring in the second half.Italy goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma kept the score down with a string of fine saves until inadvertently pushing the ball into the legs of Calafiori, who couldn't prevent it from ricocheting into his own goal. "They deserved to win and we were never in the game," said Italy coach Luciano Spalletti. "There was too much of a gulf. We were constantly stretched, we were never able to squeeze the gaps between the various units and they were able to cause us problems."Spain's performance was reminiscent of the years when they ruled international soccer, winning back-to-back Euros and the World Cup from 2008 through 2012. Having failed to dominate possession for the first time in 136 competitive games in their opening 3-0 win over Croatia, Spain was back to its old ways in starving Italy of the ball and dictating play in a largely lopsided game.Chances came thick and fast in the first half, with Donnarumma pulling off a string of saves to keep the score goalless. For all of Spain's superiority, it took Calafiori's own goal to break the deadlock after halftime. Donnarumma pushed Alvaro Morata's glancing header into the legs of Calafiori, who could only watch as the ball ricocheted into the back of the net.Williams was then millimeters away from extending the lead with a curling shot that hit the crossbar. "We dominated across the board," said Williams. "Italy are an excellent side but we played very well and deserved to win."Williams is just one of the bright young stars in De la Fuente's team. Yamal is another and the Barcelona teenager, who has a $1 billion buyout clause, showcased his talents with slaloming runs and tricks. Barcelona midfielder Pedri looks like the modern-day answer to Spain great Andres Iniesta. "I want to underline the quality of this generation of players, particularly those in this squad. Spanish players are the best in the world," said De la Fuente.Spain has endured frustrating times since it last won the Euros in 2012, with early exits from the last three World Cups. At the last Euros, it lost on penalties to Italy in the semifinals. But there have been signs of its resurgence in recent times, having won the UEFA Nations League last year. Now it looks well-positioned to add another major title in Germany. "Essentially we haven't achieved anything yet," said De la Fuente. "Football can be very cruel. We have to be cautious, humble and show respect."

Spain and Italy Set for Euro 2024 Showdown in Crucial Group B ClashSpain and Italy, two of the tournament favorites, will lock horns in a highly anticipated Group B match at Euro 2024 on Saturday, June 21 (IST). Both teams enter the clash with contrasting starts to the competition.Spain kicked off their campaign with a dominant 3-0 victory over Croatia, showcasing their attacking prowess and defensive solidity. Italy, on the other hand, faced a sterner test against Albania, ultimately securing a hard-fought 2-1 win.The match will be played at Arena AufSchalke, with kickoff scheduled for 12:30 am IST. The Sony Sports Network will telecast the match live in India, while SonyLiv will provide live streaming.Spain, under the guidance of Luis Enrique, will be looking to maintain their winning momentum and solidify their position at the top of Group B. Their attacking trio of Ferran Torres, Alvaro Morata, and Pablo Sarabia has been in impressive form, and they will pose a significant threat to the Italian defense.Italy, led by Roberto Mancini, will be eager to bounce back from their narrow victory over Albania. They will rely on the experience of veterans like Leonardo Bonucci and Giorgio Chiellini to guide their young squad. Federico Chiesa and Lorenzo Insigne will be key players for Italy, providing creativity and attacking flair.The match promises to be a tactical battle between two of Europe's most respected coaches. Enrique's possession-based style will clash with Mancini's more pragmatic approach. Both teams will be determined to secure a victory that could potentially shape the outcome of Group B.

Spain's hopes of building on their impressive Euro 2024 opener against Croatia rest heavily on the exceptional Fabian Ruiz. The Paris Saint-Germain playmaker was the standout performer in Spain's 3-0 victory, setting up the opener and scoring a classy goal himself.Ruiz's importance to Luis de la Fuente's team was evident in his performance against Croatia. He outshone even Luka Modric, the Croatian captain and one of the world's best midfielders. De la Fuente praised Ruiz's "exceptional" qualities, highlighting his top-level ability and brilliant technique.Ruiz's resurgence under De la Fuente is a testament to the coach's belief in the player. De la Fuente coached Ruiz in Spain's Under-21 team, where he was a key figure in their 2019 European Championship triumph.Despite his success at youth level, Ruiz struggled to establish himself in the senior team under former coach Luis Enrique. He was not selected for the 2022 World Cup, but De la Fuente's appointment has given him a new lease of life.Ruiz's return to the Spain squad has coincided with a change in their playing style. Under De la Fuente, Spain are more direct than they were under Luis Enrique, and Ruiz's ability to create chances and score goals has been crucial.Ruiz's form has also been impressive at club level. He has flourished under Luis Enrique at PSG, scoring the winning goal in the French Cup final against Lyon. He also found the net in Spain's pre-Euros friendly against Northern Ireland.Spain's next challenge is a clash with Italy, a team they have met at four consecutive European Championships. Ruiz, who spent four seasons in Serie A with Napoli, will be familiar with many of the Italian players.Spain are seen as one of the favorites to win Euro 2024, and Ruiz will be a key figure in their quest for glory. His exceptional talent and ability to make a difference in big games make him a player to watch in this tournament.

Italy's defense of their European Championship title got off to a thrilling start on Saturday as they overcame a lightning-fast goal from Albania to secure a 2-1 victory in front of a partisan crowd in Dortmund.Despite conceding the fastest goal in the competition's history just 23 seconds into the match, Italy responded with remarkable resilience. Alessandro Bastoni equalized for the Azzurri in the 11th minute, and Nicolo Barella put them ahead just four minutes later.From that point forward, Luciano Spalletti's team looked much more assured, dominating possession and creating numerous chances. However, they failed to capitalize on their dominance, allowing Albania to remain in the game.The Albanian fans, who made up the vast majority of the crowd, were in disbelief when Nedim Bajrami stunned Italy with an early strike. But Italy's response was swift and decisive, with Bastoni and Barella finding the back of the net in quick succession.Davide Frattesi hit the post for Italy before the interval, while Gianluca Scamacca and Federico Chiesa also came close to extending their lead. However, Albania remained resolute in defense, preventing Italy from adding to their tally.In the second half, Italy sat back and allowed Albania to push forward in search of an equalizer. But the Albanian attack lacked the necessary quality to break down the Italian defense. Substitute Rey Manaj came closest in the 90th minute, but his effort was saved by Gianluigi Donnarumma.Italy's victory puts them in a strong position to advance to the knockout phase of Euro 2024 from Group B, where they will face fellow heavyweights Spain next Thursday. Despite the early setback, Italy showed their resilience and determination to defend their title.

Albania's Nedim Bajrami etched his name into the annals of European Championship history by scoring the fastest goal ever in the tournament's history. Just 23 seconds into Albania's opening match against Italy on Saturday, Bajrami pounced on a poor throw-in from Italy's Federico Dimarco and unleashed a thunderous shot into the net from inside the box.Bajrami's lightning-fast strike shattered the previous Euros record for the quickest goal, which had stood for 18 years. In 2004, Russia's Dmitri Kirichenko had found the back of the net after 67 seconds against Greece.The goal was a testament to Bajrami's quick thinking and clinical finishing. The Sassuolo forward was alert to the opportunity and wasted no time in capitalizing on Italy's defensive lapse.However, Italy responded swiftly to Bajrami's early strike. Alessandro Bastoni equalized for the reigning champions in the 11th minute, and Nicolo Barella put Italy ahead just five minutes later.Despite the setback, Albania continued to push forward and create chances. They came close to equalizing on several occasions, but Italy's defense held firm.The match ultimately ended in a 2-1 victory for Italy, but Bajrami's historic goal will be remembered for years to come. It was a moment of brilliance that showcased his talent and the growing strength of Albanian football.

Italy, the reigning European champions, embark on their title defense at the UEFA Euro 2020 on June 15th, facing Albania in their opening match. The tournament marks a new era for the Azzurri, as they seek to rebuild their reputation as one of the world's top footballing nations.Under the guidance of manager Luciano Spalletti, Italy has undergone a significant transformation since their triumph in 2020. The team has shed the aging stars of the past and embraced a new generation of players, led by Federico Chiesa, Nicolo Barella, and Davide Frattesi.Despite their status as reigning champions, Italy faces a daunting task in Group B, which also includes Spain and Croatia. A victory over Albania in their opening match is crucial for their chances of advancing to the knockout stages.Albania, making their second appearance at the Euros, will be buoyed by the support of their passionate fans. The Eagles boast a squad with a strong Italian connection, with 10 players currently plying their trade in Serie A.Italy's preparations for the tournament have been hampered by injuries to key players, including Barella and Frattesi. However, the team remains confident in their ability to overcome these challenges and make a strong run in the competition."We are an underrated team," said delegation chief Gianluigi Buffon. "We have players in the squad who will become future greats. We want to show what we're made of at the Euros."

Italy's Euro 2024 preparations hit a snag as they were held to a goalless draw by Turkey in a lackluster friendly in Bologna. The Azzurri, who triumphed at the last Euros three years ago, struggled to create clear-cut chances against a resolute Turkish defense.The match was marred by an injury to Turkey's Ozan Kabak, who was stretchered off shortly before halftime with a knee injury that could potentially rule him out of the tournament. The Hoffenheim midfielder fell awkwardly in a challenge with Mateo Retegui and writhed in agony on the sidelines.Italy's best chance of the first half came in stoppage time when Baris Yilmaz sent a free header over the bar. Bryan Cristante also hit the post from a corner in the dying seconds of the half.The introduction of Andrea Cambiaso and Mattia Zaccagni after the break livened up Italy's attack, but they still lacked inspiration in the final third. Retegui miscued a bicycle kick from Pellegrini's cross just before the hour mark.Despite being the better team, Italy failed to find a breakthrough, leaving the 25,000 fans at the Stadio Renato Dall'Ara disappointed.Turkey, managed by former Italy striker Vincenzo Montella, will play Poland in Warsaw on Monday in their final pre-Euro friendly. They take on Georgia in their first Group F match in Dortmund on June 18 before facing Portugal and the Czech Republic.Italy, meanwhile, have one more friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina in Empoli on Sunday before traveling to Germany for Euro 2024. They begin their campaign on June 15 against Albania in Group B, where they have also been drawn with Spain and Croatia.

Italy's provisional squad for Euro 2024 has been announced, with Gianluca Scamacca earning a spot after his impressive performances for Atalanta. The 25-year-old striker has been in scintillating form, scoring 11 goals and assisting four more since March, helping Atalanta secure a historic Europa League triumph.Scamacca's inclusion is a testament to his resurgence under coach Luciano Spalletti, who had previously criticized the striker for his off-field habits. However, Scamacca's recent performances have forced Spalletti to reconsider, as Italy seeks to address its long-standing issue of finding reliable strikers.Inconsistent Ciro Immobile, a key figure in Italy's Euro 2020 triumph, has been dropped from the squad. Scamacca is expected to lead the line alongside Juventus star Federico Chiesa, who will be joined by surprise inclusion Nicolo Fagioli.Fagioli, a Juventus midfielder, has been included despite missing most of the season due to a gambling ban. His selection is part of a youth movement in the Italian squad, with several veterans from the last Euro victory being replaced.Marco Verratti, Manuel Locatelli, Giorgio Chiellini, Leonardo Bonucci, and Lorenzo Insigne are among the notable absentees. Spalletti will announce his final squad on June 6, which will face Spain, Croatia, and Albania in Group B.Italy will play pre-tournament friendlies against Turkey and Bosnia and Herzegovina early next month.