While the video of his goal scored after only 23 seconds had already been looping in all media for almost two hours, Nadim Bajrami finally realized. “I didn’t know I had broken a recordhe told the Klan Kosova channel before regaining his composure. But I don’t have time to think about the goal. I have to prepare for the next match.”
Even if his record was ultimately of no use in the final result given Italy’s immediate reaction, the 25-year-old attacking midfielder will forever remain as the first player in the history of the Euro to score from the first minute of play. However, the player could very well have never played in the Euro.
Switzerland wanted to keep him
Born in Zurich, Bajrami has long followed the same trajectory as Xhaka, Shaqiri or Berhami, his illustrious predecessors also from Albania. He has worn the Swiss jacket in all age categories: from U15 to U21. He was even preparing to play the Euro Espoirs in March 2021, before his Albanian blood regained the advantage at the last moment.
Furious, Switzerland then tried to prevent the player from opting for Albanian sporting nationality. The Swiss federation even won an appeal to FIFA, based on the fact that Bajrami had participated in more than four matches with the Swiss U21s. By referring the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), the Albanians nevertheless finally won their case several months later. In September 2021, he was able to make his first selection for the A.
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With Frattesi and De Winter
At club level, the playmaker trained at the Zurich Grasshoppers has just completed his fifth season… in Italy. First arriving in Serie B at Empoli, he participated in the rise to Serie A in his second season. In 2022-2023, he was able to share the locker room with the neo-Red Devil Koni De Winter, until Sassuolo decided to transfer him in January. Among the Neroverdi, Bajrami was able to find his midfield partner Davide Frattesi, with whom he had already been able to form a good pair on the Empoli side.
However, their paths separated last summer, when Frattesi joined Inter. And while his Italian friend was crowned champion, Bajrami experienced a chaotic season at Sassuolo. Individually (2 goals and 2 assists), but especially collectively with this relegation recorded from penultimate place. The player nevertheless managed to pull himself together to play his first Euro with Albania, after playing a vital role (3 goals) during the magnificent qualifying campaign.
TGV Bajrami, a reigning jet champion and a huge scare: what to remember from Italy – Albania (2-1)
And now he is decisive, in style, against his friend Frattesi and the reigning European champions. The rest of the tournament against Croatia and then Spain, however, promises to be even more complicated from now on. “I am disappointed with the result, but proud of the players who gave everything on the pitch”positive nonetheless the coach Sylvinho who could have snatched the tie at the end of the match (90th) without a save from Donnarumma in front of Manaj.
Despite a catastrophic start to the match, Italy overthrows Albania and secures the essentials (2-1)
Italy : Donnarruma, Calafiori, Bastoni, Dimarco (83rd Darmian), Di Lorenzo, Jorginho, Barella (90th+2 Folorunsho), Frattesi, Pellegrini (77th Cristante), Chiesa (77th Cambiaso), Scamacca (83rd Retegui).
Albania: Strakosha, Djimsiti, Ajeti, Mitaj, Hysaj, Ramadani, Asllani, Bajrami (87th Muçi), Asani (68th Hoxha), Seferi (68th Laçi), Broja (77th Manaj).
Referee: Mr. Zwayer (Germany).
Warnings: Pellegrini, Calafiori, Broja, Hoxha.
The goals : 1st Bajrami (0-1), 11th Bastoni (1-1), 16th Barella (2-1).
The best: Nicolo Barella (7.5/10)
And to think that he was still uncertain a few hours before kick-off, and that he only completed his first full training session the day before. Regardless, Barella was there. With the second goal (16th) which allowed Albania to be overthrown in the space of five minutes. More generally, Barella delivered a high-level performance. With enormous activity in the midfield, a lot of precision in his movements (97% of successful passes) and real leadership.
The flop: Armando Broja (4/10)
Considered the offensive star of this team, the striker who was on loan from Chelsea to Fulham did not convince more than this season with the Cottagers (0 goals). Lonely in the middle of the Italian defense, he was clumsy on the few opportunities to shine and did not play the role hoped for in the stalls. His replacement (Manaj) proved more dangerous in the space of fifteen minutes.
