Football
Albania U-21 Hold Italy in Lecce as Marinaj Secures First Point at Taranto 2026
The Red and Blacks took the lead late in the first half before Italy equalized through Casagrande. Goalkeeper Skander Tahri and the Albanian defense withstood the hosts’ pressure.
Albania’s U-21 national team began its Mediterranean Games “Taranto 2026” campaign with a valuable draw. Alban Bushi’s Red and Blacks drew 1-1 with Italy at the “Ettore Giardiniero–Via del Mare” Stadium in Lecce, in front of approximately 3,000 spectators.
Italy, represented by the U-18 national team coached by Daniele Franceschini, made the better start. The hosts threatened as early as the third minute, when Albini met the ball at the far post but sent his effort over the crossbar.
In the 12th minute, Casagrande released Perillo toward the Albanian goal, but the Italian striker’s shot went narrowly wide. Albania remained compact, defended carefully and looked to threaten on the counterattack.
Italy’s best opportunity of the first half arrived in stoppage time. Giammattei found himself one-on-one with goalkeeper Skander Tahri, but his shot struck the crossbar.
Only moments later, football’s unwritten rule—“miss a chance, concede a goal”—was confirmed once again. Following a scramble inside the Italian penalty area, Rajmond Marinaj reacted first and sent the ball into the net in the 45th minute plus three, giving Albania a 1-0 lead.
Italy responded after the break and increased the pressure on the Albanian goal. Following two opportunities for Corigliano, the hosts found the equalizer in the 56th minute. Giammattei advanced down the flank and delivered the ball to Pietro Casagrande, who finished accurately from inside the penalty area to make it 1-1.
After drawing level, Italy continued to attack and created further opportunities through Giammattei, Rigo and Donato, but failed to score a second goal. Albania had a good chance of its own in the 75th minute through Ruci, but Italian goalkeeper Francesco Lupo made an important save.
The Red and Blacks resisted the hosts’ late pressure and secured an important point in their opening Group B match.
One particularly interesting detail was the age difference between the two teams. Albania fielded a squad mainly composed of players born in 2005 and 2006, while Italy selected its U-18 team, whose average age was only 16.9. Almost all of the Italian players were born in 2009, apart from two who were born in 2010.
Lineups
Albania (4-3-3): Skander Tahri; Valentin Daja, Aurel Marku, Rajmond Marinaj, Arlind Lleshi; Jordi Jaku, Oresti Kasmollari, Bjorni Duka; Kristi Bespallov, Nebi Qokthi, Hetem Lushaj. Coach: Alban Bushi.
Substitutes used: Ruci replaced Kasmollari (46’), Bode replaced Lushaj (58’), Dhama replaced Jaku (75’) and Mihana replaced Bespallov (80’).
Italy (4-3-1-2): Lupo; Rigo, Donato, Diallo, Albini; Olivieri, Ballarin, Giammattei; Corigliano; Perillo, Casagrande. Coach: Daniele Franceschini.
Goals: Marinaj 45+3’ / Casagrande 56’ Referee: Ergun of Türkiye Attendance: Approximately 3,000
In the other group match, Algeria defeated Kosovo 2-1 to move to the top of the standings with three points. After the opening round, the Group B standings are: Algeria three points, Albania and Italy one point each, and Kosovo zero.
Albania will return to action on August 24 at 9:00 p.m. for the all-Albanian derby against Kosovo. A victory would put Alban Bushi’s side in a very strong position in the race for a place in the semifinals.