Italy v Albania: Euro 2024 – live

The defending champions make their bow, having missed out on Qatar. Expectations? Relatively high, since in a tournament where coaches can have a big say, they have one of the very best and most innovative in Luciano Spalletti. He might even have been the pioneer of the bald look that is so popular with coaches these days. It’s only three years since Wembley and that penalties win over England though much has changed, not just the coach, with Roberto Mancini departing to take Saudi Arabian petrodollars. Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci are gone, as is Leonardo Spinazzola. And of the new breed, Destiny Udogie leads a spate of injuries in defence, the area where Italy are supposed to be strongest. No Marco Verrati, either. Sandro Tonali? Suspended. This is nothing like the same squad, but that’s where Spalletti comes in and the likes of Gianluca Scamacca, so ourstanding for Atalanta comes in. There’s also Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jorginnho, Nicola Barella and Lorenzo Pellegrini.

Albania are the outsiders’ outsiders, though will be well supported by a whole host of fans set to try and fill Dortmund’s Yellow Wall. If Armando Broja is the most familiar face, if not to Fulham fans, then it’s a hard-working team that Sylvinho – yes, that Sylvinho, has put together. Star man is Elseid Hysaj, who Italy will know all about after his many years of service for Lazio and Napoli before that, someone who will be familiar with Spalletti’s wiles, too.

Kick-off is 8pm UK time, 9pm Dortmund time. Join me.