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Albania Aims for Second Place in Euro 2024 Group B
Albania arguably have the best chance of finishing second in Group B at Euro 2024. Despite needing a win against Spain on Monday to finish above both Italy and Croatia, as well as the result in the game between the latter two to go their way, recent developments could see the Balkan nation take advantage of the situation in their Euro 2024 group.
Currently third in the group with one point, Albania are above Croatia on goal difference and two points behind Italy in second. Albania, therefore, need to win against Spain and hope Croatia beat Italy, though not by three more goals than they manage against La Roja.
“Spain have already finished first in Group B after two games, despite Italy being just three points behind them. That’s because group rankings are decided by head-to-head record if two teams finish level on points, ensuring Spain’s 1-0 victory against Italy will see them finish first regardless of the results on Monday evening.”
As a result, the Spain starting XI could feature a raft of changes against Albania, with one already enforced. After picking up his second booking of Euro 2024, Rodri is suspended for the match against Albania, while defender Nacho missed the match against Italy due to an injury sustained in the first game against Croatia.
Albania, therefore, could look to take advantage of a changed side who might not be fully up to match speed, as well as the absence of midfield maestro Rodri. Still, Spain certainly aren’t taking Albania lightly, especially with the prospect of a nine-point haul in the group stages possible.
In other football news, Hungary forward Barnabas Varga is reported to be “conscious and stable” after a horror collision in a game against Scotland. Meanwhile, Harry Kane has hit back at Gary Lineker’s recent criticism of the England national team.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Euro 2024, Champions League, FIFA World Cup, Women’s World Cup, Africa Cup of Nations, Premier League, EFL Cup, EFL Championship, EFL One, EFL Two, and FA Cup.
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