Match Prediction: Albania vs Spain UEFA European Championship 2024
This game might appear to be a mismatch, but Albania's recent form suggests they will be challenging to beat. With Croatia and Italy being the two other teams in the group, Spain will know they can't afford to slip up here. As for Albania, they will be the underdogs for all three of their group-stage matches and will be looking to take away at least one major scalp from these European Championships 2024.
Spain has suffered in recent tournaments, and their team is perhaps unfairly compared to the great team that won three major tournaments on the bounce. Albania should be treating this tournament as a free hit. Not much is expected of them, so if they are able to qualify from this tough group, it will be some achievement.
How did they qualify?
Spain won seven out of eight qualifying games, only losing away to Scotland. Qualification threatened to be tricky with a group that included Norway, but this talented young side quickly put that theory to bed. The Spanish fans were shown signs of a promising new dawn, considering the age of some of their squad members suggests they will be at their peak in future tournaments.
Albania surprised many by topping Group E, which included Poland, the Czech Republic, and Moldova. Although Albania and the Czech Republic finished with the same number of points, Albania claimed the top spot thanks to their superior goal difference.
Team Analysis
Due to their lack of evident firepower, Albania relies on a pragmatic setup. There is nothing wrong with this, of course, since there is enough evidence now to suggest that this is their greatest chance of achieving a result. A Spanish team that loves to play possession-based football will most likely dominate the game.
Rodri will be the leading man in midfield, with many talented youngsters to play around him. As a football fan, it is difficult not to get excited about how this Spanish side is shaping up.
Players to watch
As alluded to, Albania are far from a team of superstars and will rely primarily on grit and determination this Euros. There is one man, though, who is showing signs of becoming a player who could make a difference at this level.
- Armando Broja: This young man may not have yet found a club to call his home yet, but this man can become some player when he gets a run of games together. Albania will be relying on him to have a big tournament.
Spain have some top players, Including Rodri in midfield and some attacking talent like Gavi and 16-year-old sensation Lamine Yamal. They will need someone to stick the ball in the net, however.
- Álvaro Morata: This Spanish forward might not be among the elite strikers of world football, but he still scores vital goals and is more than capable of having a tournament that could define his career.
Prediction
This is one of the easiest matches to make a firm prediction on. This Spanish side has plenty of exciting talent, and this Albanian side is limited. We expect them to put up a good resistance, but ultimately, we expect this Spanish side to have a little too much for the Albanians. We also expect Manchester City midfielder Rodri to dominate the midfield.