There were plenty of challenges to overcome. First and foremost, the emotion of making their debut at the Giochi del Mediterraneo, but above all the significant age gap, the widest in the entire men’s football tournament: Italy have an average age of 16.9, with all 18 players born in 2009 apart from two born in 2010, while Albania were able to field players born in 2005 and 2006. At this stage of development, an age difference like this can create a significant gap, particularly physically. However, that was not the case for Daniele Franceschini’s side, as they drew 1-1 with Albania in their opening game. In the presence of Minister for Sport and Youth Andrea Abodi and FIGC Youth and School Sector President Vito Tisci, Casagrande equalised in the 56th minute after Marinaj had given Albania the lead in first-half stoppage time. Italy will be back in action on Monday 24 August at 21:00 CEST in Brindisi, when they face Group B leaders Algeria.

MALAGÒ. A few minutes before the start of the competition, after watching the opening ceremony from the stands at the Iacovone, FIGC President Giovanni Malagò commented: “Last night I witnessed the best opening ceremony in the history of the Giochi del Mediterraneo. Taranto 2026 has showcased outstanding facilities, and I have to congratulate everyone: these venues are the envy of major Italian and European cities. Looking ahead, these facilities, which are also designed for multiple sports, deserve proper management, attention, professionalism and expertise. The football tournaments also got underway today, and we have two teams involved, so I wish them the very best of luck. The men’s team includes part of the group that won the European Championship with the Under-17s, and they enter the Games as the youngest team in the entire competition, while the women’s team, made up of players born in 2009, has plenty of potential and high expectations. To the girls and boys, I say: enjoy this unique event, which will certainly leave an unforgettable memory in both your sporting and personal lives.”

FRANCESCHINI. At full time, Daniele Franceschini applauded his players: “I’m not disappointed because I’m looking at the performance, the attitude and the mentality we showed. Playing these games in these competitions against players much older than you is not easy, and I have to congratulate the lads on what we produced. We weren’t able to capitalise on the many chances we created, but they did what I asked of them, playing attacking football and creating plenty of opportunities. We were lacking a little precision in front of goal. We also have to think about rest, and the substitutions we made were based on the games and the tournament, regardless of the players’ individual qualities. We’re trying to manage our energy levels with the tournament in mind, so that we can play as many games as possible.”

THE MATCH. The Azzurrini lined up in their established 4-3-1-2, with Lupo in goal and Corigliano supporting the front two of Perillo and Casagrande. Italy created their first big chance in the third minute: Perillo broke forward, and Albini arrived at the far post, but his volleyed effort flew just over the crossbar. Franceschini’s side were playing well and came close to taking the lead in the 12th minute: Casagrande sent Perillo through on goal, but the No. 9’s angled right-footed effort went narrowly wide. Then, right at the end of the first half, after Italy had clearly been the better side, the Azzurrini came within centimetres of scoring again. Giammattei raced through on goal and found himself one-on-one with Skander, but his right-footed effort crashed against the crossbar. And so the old football saying “missed chances, punished at the other end” struck again: following a scramble in the penalty area, Albania took the lead through Marinaj just moments before the half-time whistle.

SECOND HALF. Italy did not let up after the break and stepped things up. Corigliano immediately had two good chances, but it was Casagrande who found the net: in the twelfth minute, a fine run from Giammattei set up the No. 19, who met the ball in the heart of the penalty area and fired home with the inside of his foot to make it 1-1. Spurred on by the equaliser, the Azzurrini continued to create chances: Giammattei came close twice, followed by Rigo and finally Donato, whose header from a corner also failed to put Italy ahead. Albania had a chance in the 75th minute, but Lupo, a local hero who was applauded by the around 3,000 spectators in attendance, denied Ruci. The final 10 minutes began with Franceschini having used all five of his available substitutions, bringing on Dattilo, Landi, Baffoh, Guaglianone and Rocca for fresh impetus. Perillo came close with five minutes remaining, but the Italy striker’s header was off target and drifted wide.

ITALY 1-1 ALBANIA
Italy (4-3-1-2): Lupo; Rigo, Donato, Diallo, Albini (Dattilo 63’); Olivieri (Baffoh 79’), Ballarin, Giammattei (Landi 72’); Corigliano (Guaglianone 63’); Perillo, Casagrande (Rocca 72’).
Unused Substitutes: Sonzogni, Gaffurini.
Head coach: Franceschini
 

Albania (4-3-3): Skander; Daja, Marku, Marinaj, Lleshi; Jaku (Dhama 75’), Kasmollari (Ruci 46’), Duka; Bespallov (Mihana 80’), Qokthi, Lushaj (Bode 58’).
Unused Substitutes: Mejdani, Dervishaj, Halili.
Head coach: Bushi


Goals: 45’+3 Marinaj (A), 56’ Casagrande (I)

Referee: Ergun (Turkey)
Assistant referees: Celebi (Turkey), Bouchtaoui (Morocco)
Fourth official: Filippi (Italy)


Notes: Booked: Donato (I), Rigo (I). Attendance: 3,000

 

Giochi del Mediterraneo Taranto 2026
Men’s football tournament

Group A: Morocco, Turkey, Tunisia, North Macedonia
Group B: ITALY, Algeria, Kosovo, Albania

Group B fixtures
Matchday 1, Saturday 22 August
Algeria 2-1. Kosovo
ITALY 1-1. Albania

Group B standings after Matchday 1
Algeria 3, Italy and Albania 1, Kosovo 0

Matchday 2, Monday 24 August
Algeria vs. Kosovo, 21:00 | Lecce
ITALY vs. Algeria, 21:00 | Brindisi

Matchday 3, Wednesday 26 August
Algeria vs. Albania, 21:00 | Francavilla Fontana
Kosovo vs. ITALY, 21:00 | Taranto

Semi-finals, Friday 28 August | Taranto
S1) Winners Group A vs. second Group B, 10:30
S2) Winners Group B vs. second Group A, 21:00

Finals, Sunday 30 August | Taranto
3rd place: Losers S1 vs. losers S2, 10:00
1st place: Winners S1 vs. winners S2, 19:00