DORTMUND, Germany (Reuters) -Italy midfielder Nicolo Barella returns from injury for their Euro 2024 opener against Albania on Saturday with Gianluca Scamacca selected to lead the attack by coach Luciano Spalletti.
Barella missed two pre-tournament friendlies due to a muscle problem and Scamacca’s place in the starting side has been challenged by Mateo Retegui who is on the bench for Spalletti’s first match in charge of Italy at a major tournament.
Attacking midfielder Davide Frattesi starts in Dortmund after an injury scare while in defence Spalletti opted for a back four including central defender Riccardo Calafiori who wins only his third cap after injuries to more experienced players.
Armando Broja leads Albania’s attack despite barely playing while on loan from Chelsea at Fulham in the Premier League and winger Jasir Asani starts after a barren spell at Gwangju in South Korea. Captain Berat Djimsiti, fresh from Italian club Atalanta’s Europa League triumph, anchors the defence and goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha was selected by coach Sylvinho.
Italy: Gianluigi Donnarumma (c); Giovanni Di Lorenzo, Alessandro Bastoni, Riccardo Calafiori, Federico Dimarco; Jorginho, Nicolo Barella; Federico Chiesa, Davide Frattesi, Lorenzo Pellegrini; Gianluca Scamacca
Albania: Thomas Strakosha; Elseid Hysaj, Arlind Arjeti, Berat Djimsiti (c), Mario Mitaj; Kristjan Asllani, Ylber Ramadani; Jasir Asani, Nedim Bajrami, Taulant Seferi; Armando Broja
(Reporting by William Schomberg and Sam Tobin, editing by Ed Osmond)
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