Kosova National Team [General topic]

[Dallku]

I would expect if Zhegrova and Rashica were playing the game would be open a bit more but they weren't going to beat Switzerland regardless. Kosovo and Albania both have that inferiority complex.

With Zhegrova and Rashica it would be even worse because they don't track back to defend at all. The problem is that Switzerland look like scoring every time they go forward.

Before the game Murat Yakin said that this fixture is no longer a "brotherhood" (last 2 matches between them were settled as draws).. Man he wasn't kidding.

[artan]

I would expect if Zhegrova and Rashica were playing the game would be open a bit more but they weren't going to beat Switzerland regardless. Kosovo and Albania both have that inferiority complex.

With Zhegrova and Rashica it would be even worse because they don't track back to defend at all. The problem is that Switzerland look like scoring every time they go forward.

Before the game Murat Yakin said that this fixture is no longer a "brotherhood" (last 2 matches between them were settled as draws).. Man he wasn't kidding.

The Swiss had 0 fear of Kosovo scoring from the beginning. When you don't fear your opponent you can camp your entire team in the opposition final third and put in cross after cross. Kosovo has 0 counter attacking to punish them. A modern team needs balance

Kosovo just came in praying to defend for 90 minutes and hold on to a 0-0 draw. Once you give up the first goal the flood gates open.

[Redijupison]

Man, what's wrong with these coaches thinking they can go head to head against elite players with scrubs who play in Poland and Ukraine?

[artan]

Man, what's wrong with these coaches thinking they can go head to head against elite players with scrubs who play in Poland and Ukraine?

The player pool for Kosovo and Albania is only so deep. It's the harsh reality for small nations. What I don't find acceptable when they do have professionals but somehow amateurs start over them (Manaj, Asani, Balaj, Trashi, etc).

[ZenMaster]

Loje ma te dobet as gjate epokes Bunjaki skan lujt, Dellova ne dy gollat e para katastrofal po per sa gabime individuale kan bo kan mujt me i hanger edhe nja 5-6 golla minimum

[Aurora Bulkualis]

Lol the inferiority complex Kosovars have against Switzerland is funny. What a waste of a game.

[Redijupison]

Man, what's wrong with these coaches thinking they can go head to head against elite players with scrubs who play in Poland and Ukraine?

The player pool for Kosovo and Albania is only so deep. It's the harsh reality for small nations. What I don't find acceptable when they do have professionals but somehow amateurs start over them (Manaj, Asani, Balaj, Trashi, etc).

Right now, Kosova has a way bigger pool of professionals, Emir Sahiti would probably start for Albania, but won't even get called up for Kosova.

The biggest problem with this game was that Kosova actually didn't go out there to defend, but to outplay Switzerland, lol. Expecting the same impact from players like Ermal K or Jashari when you're missing Rashica and Zhegrova is crazy.

Playing without a pure defensive midfielder vs a team like Switzerland puts you in constant danger of conceding chances whenever you loose the ball, giving Xhaka all the time on the ball during the whole game was another thing that was very frustrating to watch.

Imo, Kosova's biggest problem is still not being able to adapt to stronger opponents. Foda looked like a more tactically mature and adaptive coach, but I guess he got carried away from the previous results too.

[Dallku]

Kosovo only has 1 proper defender in the whole team (Rrahmani). His partner is an amateur, the fullbacks are non defenders and the midfielders are all pretty finesse players. They don't get stuck in or play aggressive enough.

0 yellow cards for Kosovo yesterday which is insane if you watched the game. They were getting shredded... but no one to get "stuck in" and make the game dirty. Kosovo needs players like Abrashi and even Ramadani.

[artan]

Man, what's wrong with these coaches thinking they can go head to head against elite players with scrubs who play in Poland and Ukraine?

The player pool for Kosovo and Albania is only so deep. It's the harsh reality for small nations. What I don't find acceptable when they do have professionals but somehow amateurs start over them (Manaj, Asani, Balaj, Trashi, etc).

Right now, Kosova has a way bigger pool of professionals, Emir Sahiti would probably start for Albania, but won't even get called up for Kosova.

The biggest problem with this game was that Kosova actually didn't go out there to defend, but to outplay Switzerland, lol. Expecting the same impact from players like Ermal K or Jashari when you're missing Rashica and Zhegrova is crazy.

Playing without a pure defensive midfielder vs a team like Switzerland puts you in constant danger of conceding chances whenever you loose the ball, giving Xhaka all the time on the ball during the whole game was another thing that was very frustrating to watch.

Imo, Kosova's biggest problem is still not being able to adapt to stronger opponents. Foda looked like a more tactically mature and adaptive coach, but I guess he got carried away from the previous results too.

Kosovo on paper has a more talented roster but Albania seems to have more balance and actual professional defenders. The midfield trio of Albania is normally solid and is able to cover alot of the pitch and keep the game under control. The Asllani - Ramadani pairing for last qualification cycle was great. The Kosovo midfield have never been able to control the game or protect their backline since it's admission into UEFA, maybe with time this new core will do that for them.

Lets see how they fare against Sweden. Isak and Gyokeres will most certainly feast.

[Aurora Bulkualis]

What I've noticed about Albania is that their amateurs once in a blue moon actually put in world class performances. We qualified in the first EUROs because for a split second Roshi turned into Prime CR7 and Balaj turned into Zidane. It was only 1 game, but that set the pace for the rest of the campaign. Asani turned into Roberto Carlos for 2 games against Poland/Czech Republic. I also remember DB's first massive away win against Norway when we approached qualification for the first time. It was a crazy free kick from Salihi and Bulku assist.

But Kosovo amateurs never seem to have those key world class performances. They rely too much on guys like Rrahmani or Zhegrova. Albania's key qualifying wins have never come from Cana or Broja.