Albanian Football Forum

So, I was highly critical of the team in the Denmark thread but now after a night to sleep on it I think I have bit more perspective:

- I think De Biasi was genuinely content with just drawing in Denmark.
- I don't think he ever wanted to go for the win because he knew that if he went offensive we could easily have collapsed and conceded with out some key defenders
- I think he genuinely wanted the team to save their best efforts for this game against Portugal in front of our home crowd. IF we win this game, we are 100% through to Euro I would say.
- I know we had a terrible second half but our defense held up time and time again and that is honestly a very positive sign. We just have to create some more counter attacking opportunities like we usually have this campaign. Defense wins championships.
- With all that said, our midfield and attack absolutely has to be better. We have players perhaps being misused (Gashi) or not used at all (Kace)
- I honestly believe this team is one super talented player away from being a world power in soccer. I know that's a lot easier to say then done but when I look back in history teams like Ukraine and Whales immediately became top quality teams thanks to one player (Shevchenko, Gareth Bale). If we could just luck out on someone like that (Donis??) then qualifying for cups will become routine for us as well.

All in all, lets go out there and shock the world. Une besoj

Dallku wrote:Super tough game against Portugal. One thing for sure is that we can't play the same way as against Denmark. More quick players are needed and size doesn't matter.

Historically I feel like we have struggled against physical teams like Denmark but done a little better against more technical sides like Portugal. In the Portugal game away I never feared that we were going to concede and the Portuguese did not press like the Danes did in the second half yesterday, even after going down 1-0.

Last time we played Portugal at home 1:2 this was our lineup:

12 Isli Hidi
2 Elvin Beqiri
3 Kristi Vangjeli
6 Debatik Curri
7 Ansi Agolli
4 Endrit Vrapi
5 Lorik Cana
8 Ervin Bulku
10 Klodian Duro
13 Ervin Skela
15 Erjon Bogdani

Subs
1Samir Ujkani
16Admir Teli
17Dorian Bylykbashi
14Jahmir Hyka
9Edmond Kapllani
11Besart Berisha
18Hamdi Salihi

Portugal played with :

1 Eduardo
2 Bruno Alves
3 Jose Bosingwa
15 Pepe
6 Ricardo Carvalho
5 Duda
10 Deco
16 Raul Meireles
7 Cristiano Ronaldo
9 Hugo Almeida
8 Luis Boa Morte

Subs
12Jose Moreira
4 Rolando
13 Miguel
18Joao Moutinho
17 Nani
11 Simao
14 Edinho

There's a chance that Kace will start over Abrashi. If Hysaj isn't fit than Gym will start or else Gym will be on the bench. Lenjani and Gashi as wingers again. Agolli, Ajeti and Cana confirmed as starters.

----------Cika
-Lenjani-------Gashi
-----Xhaka-Kace
----------Kukeli
Agoli-Ajeti-Cana-Hysaj(Gjim)
---------Berisha

Looks like that's the lineup. I'd personally start Roshi in place of Gashi.

^ Nah.. In training today he tried the exact same team like against Denmark. He's not gonna change anything unless Hysaj recovers.

Big mistake IMO because with that lineup Albania will be target practice for Ronaldo and co. We don't have anyone who can counter and relieve some pressure for the defense. That's so key.

You can tell GymCity has talent, but Idk if him marking Penaldo is such a good idea.

Can anyone look at Cana's tackle on the Lord yesterday? I think that was Gym's fault, as he didn't track Bendtner when he ran in behind Cana.

Aurora Bulkualis wrote:ZenMaster is attending his first game of the campaign in person? Either 1) We qualify directly from this game 2) We lose our first game.

Nah it is not my first game of campaign, i was in Elbasan Arena also against Denmark.

Gotta love and respect Mavraj. Great guy


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Looks like Hysaj is out. Probable lineup:

--------Cika
Lenjani-------Gashi
---Xhaka-Abrashi
--------Kukeli
Agoli-Ajeti-Cana-Gym
--------Berisha

No kace... Di Biasi has alot of faith in Gashi but I guess it's not a hard decision when Roshi is a bench player in Croatia.