Former Albania coach Gianni De Biasi insists Italy should not be underestimated at Euro 2024, and he believes the current Albanian team is stronger than the one he led to their inaugural major tournament appearance. The match between Italy and Albania on Saturday holds a special significance for De Biasi, an Italian who became a hero in Albania after guiding them to Euro 2016. He fondly recalls their journey in France, including their debut against Switzerland and their historic win against Romania in Lyon. De Biasi, who resigned in 2017, credits his tenure for Albania's growth in football and was honored with the Skanderbeg Cross by Prime Minister Edi Rama. He praises the current manager Sylvinho and the team's technical improvements, noting that today's Albanian team possesses more quality and talent than his own, though he believes his team's character and determination earned respect. De Biasi also highlights several key players who could impact the tournament, such as Armando Broja and Rey Manaj. Despite Italy being the defending champions, De Biasi sees their underdog status as an advantage, and he notes the strong ties between Italians and Albanians, many of whom follow Serie A passionately.