Albania 0:2 England - WC Qualifiers Europe - 28/03/2021

[Aurora Bulkualis]

What did Sadiku's goal achieve? Nothing. It had 0 importance in the grand scheme of things. Balaj's goal had importance. Portugal was the strongest team we've ever beaten in an official game and the eventual winners of EUROs, in their own home and it was a way better goal.

Sadiku's goal is like scoring in a Supercup. Winning the cup is what matters. The Supercup is just a bonus. The tournament itself was just a bonus/celebration because we were not contenders.

[Princ]

Everything about Balaj’s goal was special.

Roshi cut down the wing, skinned the Portuguese full back and delivered a cross to Balaj, who blasted it past Rui Patricio in the middle of Portugal, giving Albania our biggest win ever.

Must have watched this goal about 1000 times.

[CanaYouDoIt]

What did Sadiku's goal achieve? Nothing. It had 0 importance in the grand scheme of things. Balaj's goal had importance. Portugal was the strongest team we've ever beaten in an official game and the eventual winners of EUROs, in their own home and it was a way better goal.

Sadiku's goal is like scoring in a Supercup. Winning the cup is what matters. The Supercup is just a bonus. The tournament itself was just a bonus/celebration because we were not contenders.

You're so wrong lmao. What a shit analogy.

[artan]

Sadiku had a really good run in 2016 & 2017 where he carried our team. Scored some nice bangers against Israel and Macedonia. We didn't really start to struggle once he went out with injury and when Di Biasi was was replaced with Panucci.

Balaj never had that impact outside the Portugal game.

[Princ]

Sadiku had a really good run in 2016 & 2017 where he carried our team. Scored some nice bangers against Israel and Macedonia. We didn't really start to struggle once he went out with injury and when Di Biasi was was replaced with Panucci.

Balaj never had that impact outside the Portugal game.

In official matches, Sadiku carried us to a win over Israel in 2017, but that’s all. Balaj scored the winning goal over Macedonia in those same qualifiers.

Balaj has 5 goals in official matches, while Sadiku has 7. There is not much difference there.

The debate comes down to a tap in header over Romania in Euro finals, or a rocket to sink Portugal away that led directly to a historic qualification.

Balaj blows him away.

[artan]

Sadiku had a really good run in 2016 & 2017 where he carried our team. Scored some nice bangers against Israel and Macedonia. We didn't really start to struggle once he went out with injury and when Di Biasi was was replaced with Panucci.

Balaj never had that impact outside the Portugal game.

In official matches, Sadiku carried us to a win over Israel in 2017, but that’s all. Balaj scored the winning goal over Macedonia in those same qualifiers.

Balaj has 5 goals in official matches, while Sadiku has 7. There is not much difference there.

The debate comes down to a tap in header over Romania in Euro finals, or a rocket to sink Portugal away that led directly to a historic qualification.

Balaj blows him away.

I'm pretty sure most of Balaj's goals were penalties. I don't remember a goal that wasn't a penalty or a 1 foot tap in for Balaj other than that Portugal goal. Same with Cikaleshi who can only bully minnow opponents with headers from a few meters out.

In reality, there's no much separating all our strikers. Balaj, Cika, Sadiku and Manaj are all in the same category. Broja is the only one there's hope for.

[Simboli i Diellit]

Rumours of Hykaj and Mavraj return. I would understand the second but Hyka is playing in second division in China, what has he to offer?

[CanaYouDoIt]

If Rena does that sack him on the spot . Hyka? What the actual f*** , you’re telling me he can’t find anyone better ?

[CanaYouDoIt]

I’m still in shock . A 33 year old from the Chinese 2nd league , what the hell is he thinking ? Senile old man

[Aurora Bulkualis]

What did Sadiku's goal achieve? Nothing. It had 0 importance in the grand scheme of things. Balaj's goal had importance. Portugal was the strongest team we've ever beaten in an official game and the eventual winners of EUROs, in their own home and it was a way better goal.

Sadiku's goal is like scoring in a Supercup. Winning the cup is what matters. The Supercup is just a bonus. The tournament itself was just a bonus/celebration because we were not contenders.

You're so wrong lmao. What a shit analogy.

It's not a shit analogy. Without Balaj's goal we wouldn't even be in EUROs for Sadiku. Even if we got 0 wins in EUROs, it would be a huge win because it was the first time we qualified for a major tourney. Balaj's goal set the tone for the rest of the campaign, since we won what was on paper the hardest tie right off the bat.

Even in terms of difficulty, Portugal was the eventual winner of the EUROs, and he scored a world class goal away from home. Yes, he was largely useless outside of that, but that was undoubtedly the greatest goal in Albanian NT history.