The great turnaround took the Italians only sixteen minutes! Watch Bastoni and Barella’s beautiful goals

The defending champions entered the European Championship with a very important 2-1 win against Albania. Despite a goal scored in the first minute, Italy turned the match around brilliantly, it took only sixteen minutes. Bastoni and Barella scored beautifully.

The four-time world champions would like to defend their title and win their third European gold this year. Other teams are more likely to be counted among the favourites for the championship, but if Italy manage to advance from a group where they still have Spain and Croatia, things could happen.

“We started so badly that it couldn’t have been worse. But we responded well and got back on track. These things happen. The important thing is to know how to react, how to get the game under control,” equaliser scorer Alessandro Bastoni told UEFA’s website.

The Inter Milan defender netted after a beautiful centre from Lorenzo Pellegrini. It was still only the 11th minute of the match. The final score of 2-1 was set five minutes later by Bastoni’s club teammate Nicolo Barella. He beat Strakosha with a successful shot from the first.

Barella shone despite the training deficit

“I’m happy for the win and my goal, but I think we should have scored more goals. Thesecond half was a bit difficult for me because I couldn’t train regularly last week due to injury so I was a bit tired,” revealed the scorer of the winning goal, Barella.

Despite his training deficit, Barella played an excellent game. The 27-year-old Cagliari offspring was setting up most of Italy’s action and the pitch was literally full of him. It is clear that he has carried over his great form from the club season, where he led Inter Milan to the title, to Germany.

“I’m playing a bit deeper than usual in the national team. All the other players are attacking the spaces, so I have to hold my position a bit more, but it’s always a pleasure to play next to a midfielder like Jorginho. Everything is easier with him,” Barella added.

As a result, the defending champions entered their 17th European Championship with three points in hand and gained some much-needed composure for the next stage of the tournament. Italy’s second opponent will be Spain, who defeated the Croatians 3-0 in their first match.

Source: CT Sport, UEFA.com