Italy start with a victory

An estimated 50,000 Albanians who had, for the entire day, made Dortmund pulsate to their beat.

Cars had trailed flags around the inner ring road throughout the afternoon, horns sounding with them, and a swathe of their following had marched to the ground three and a half hours before kick-off.

But a group of Italian fans, comprehensively outnumbered, responded in good humour so that their team didn't feel lonely.

As soon as Nedim Bajrami scored the fastest goal in the history of the Euro - the defending champions Italy felt the shockwaves spreading from Dortmund to Rome - while Dortmund became noisier courtesy of the colourful Albanian fans.

Since 2006, Italy are familiar with shocks, but every time, it becomes hard to digest for the once mighty force of world football and its fans.

The Albanian response required an immediate reaction - Alessandro Bastini and Nicola Barella - the potent Inter pair - buried the further possibilities of an after-shock with two cool finishes.

The remainder was a successful exercise in the kind of game management that once seemed a national pastime after a dramatic first 20 minutes.

Italy knew how to switch the tempo and for which, to defend their title they will need it more.

Lastly, Federico Chiesa was a treat for the eyes.

Note: Excerpts from the The Guardian

Thank You

Faisal Caesar