Inter and Albania player Kristjan Asllani is looking forward to the EURO 2024 opener, where his club teammate Nicolò Barella is being hailed as one of the best midfielders in the world. The match is set to take place in Dortmund on Saturday at 20.00 UK time (19.00 GMT), and the team is grouped with Spain and Croatia, making it one of the toughest groups in the tournament.
Asllani expressed his excitement about facing friends and playing against Italy in this special game. Despite the personal connections, he emphasized the need to focus once they step onto the field. Another Inter teammate, Davide Frattesi, who scored the winning goal in the final warm-up game against Bosnia and Herzegovina, is also highlighted as a player to watch for Albania.
There are concerns about Barella’s fitness for the match due to a muscular issue, but Asllani praised him as one of the top midfielders globally. He acknowledged Italy’s strong squad and expressed his desire for Barella to play, not only for the challenge but also for his teammate’s well-being.
Having spent most of his life in Italy, Asllani shared his joy at seeing his former club Empoli avoid relegation on the last day of the season. He credited Empoli for shaping his career, having joined the club at a young age and leaving at 20.
At 22 years old, Asllani has accumulated 20 senior caps for Albania, with two goals and one assist to his name. The team prepared for EURO 2024 with a 3-0 friendly win against Liechtenstein and a 3-1 victory over Azerbaijan.
Asllani’s admiration for Barella’s talent and his personal connections to Italy and Empoli add depth to the anticipation surrounding the upcoming match. The dynamics within the Inter teammates facing off on the international stage further highlight the competitive spirit and camaraderie in the world of football. With a challenging group ahead, Asllani and his teammates are gearing up for an exciting start to the tournament, fueled by their experiences and aspirations on the field.