FLASH
Shkruar nga Pamfleti
If we are realistic, Albania's best chance to qualify for the last 16 is as one of the third place teams.
When it takes 70 days from the start of the European Championship that will take place in Germany, Albania wants to make a name for itself in "EURO 2024", which is their second biggest tournament in history.
The " Eagles " were also in "EURO 2016", finishing third in their group, after France and Switzerland, with a victory over Romania, which was not enough to ensure passage to the 1/16. Albania has not been given any chance of success this summer, with only 0.2%. With a terrible squad, it's hard to see Silvinja's Reds and Blacks picking up a point, let alone qualifying for the knockout stages.
How many chances does Albania have to win "EUORO 2024", according to betting companies?
Albania wins "EURO 2024": 500/1 or (0.2%)
Albania will go to the semifinals of "EURO 2024": 40/1 or (2.4%)
Albania wins Group B: 25/1 or (3.8%)
Group stage matches:
Ital-Albania (June 15, 2024, 20:00, "Signal Iduna Park")
Croatia-Albania (June 19, 2024, 14:00, "Volksparkstadion")
Spain-Albania (June 24, 2024, 20:00, "Red Bull Arena")
Albania's possible opponents in the elimination phase
If we are realistic, Albania's best chance to qualify for the last 16 is as one of the third place teams. This would secure them a draw against the winner of Group F or the winner of Group E, i.e. Portugal or Belgium. If they face Portugal, then Albania can face the Netherlands and Spain before facing France in the final. If they start against Belgium, then Albania could face France and England before facing Spain in the final.
Key players for Albania in this year's European Championship:
The main contender for the Golden Shoe in "EURO 2024": Sokol Cikalleshi
Key stats: Eight of Sokol Cikalleshi's 11 goals in the Turkish league for Koniaspor this season have been penalties.
When watching Albania's attack, English fans will surely be drawn to Armando Broja. But he is more the future, while Sokol Cikalleshi is the present. The 33-year-old has scored 13 goals in 60 games for Albania, with only two players scoring more in the history of the national team. Cikalleshi is one goal behind second place Alban Bush and five behind Erjon Bogdan. What works in Cikallesi's favor in terms of goals is the fact that he is the best penalty taker. Since the beginning of the season, Cikalleshi has taken nine penalties, scoring each of them. Eight of them have come for the Koniaspor team, with a total of 11 goals in the league, along with five assists.
Albania's primary playmaker: Jasir Asani
Key statistics: Jasir Asani was the only Albanian player to record more than one assist in the "EURO 2024" qualifiers.
Yasir Asani plays in South Korea with Guangzhu FC, with the new season just starting. But he was the man Albania had to rely on in the "EURO 2024" qualifiers. Not only because he scored two of the 12 goals, but also the fact that he is also the best corner kicker. The 28-year-old took 12 of Albania's 21 corner kicks, as well as nine penalty kicks. If Albania want to cause problems for Italy, Spain and Croatia, it might be best to do so from corners. So Asani will be key.
Albania's card magnets and top-matchers: Taulant Seferi
Key statistics: Taulant Seferi made more shots than any other Albanian player in the "EURO 2024" qualifiers.
Cikalleshi was prone to fouls and yellow cards, but Taulant Seferi was himself blocked by the opposing defenders. Seferi made nine shots, more than any other Albanian player. He also made 18 tackles and three clearances. The midfielder committed seven fouls and was booked once, in just 394 minutes - an average of 1.6 fouls per 90. Playing on the left wing, much of Sefer's action is against full-backs, so we could see an increase in frustration with the stars of the defense of Spain, Italy and Croatia.
Albania's rising star: Armando Broja
Albania have done well to bed young players at a young age, meaning someone like Armando Broja already has 19 caps at the age of 22. But he is still a rising star and the future of Albania. The Slough-born forward has always represented Albania at international level, turning down an invitation to play for England Under-21s in 2019, earning his first call-up in 2020. Despite playing 19 times for Albania, time of Broja with his country has been hampered by injuries and then the lack of playing time with the teams where he played. He is struggling once again with Fulham, the loanee is on loan from Chelsea, so he is not expected to start for Albania this summer. But he will be there, ready to take his chance.
Albanian specialists
Penalties: Sokol Cikalleshi
Free kicks: Kristjan Asllani
Corner kicks: Yasir Asani
Analysis and tactical formation of Albania
Albania team statistics from the qualifying stages (average per game):
Angles: 2.6
Shots on goal: 3.8
Shots on goal: 3.1
Offside: 2
It will be interesting to see if the tactics change given the group they are in this summer, but Albania have been pretty consistent in sticking to the 4-2-3-1 formation under Silvinho. The former Arsenal and Barcelona defender took charge of the Red and Black Eagles at the start of last year and has lost just three of his 11 games in charge of the Albanian bench, although two of those came this year.
With everyone fit, Etrit Berisha might just win the battle to be the No.1 goalkeeper, even though he missed the March friendlies. It feels like the defense chooses itself, with Elseid Hysaj and Mario Mitaj on the wings and the center backs of Berat Gjimshiti and Enea Mihaj.
Ylber Ramadani and Kristian Asllani have been the main duo, where the latter has started 10 of the 11 games under Silvinho's leadership. Next, Nedim Bajrami appears as the favored number 10, or the additional midfielder if the 4-3-3 or 4-1-4-1 scheme is favored.
In the wings, Myrto Uzuni had some opportunities when Silvinjo arrived, but there is already a partnership established by the wing of Jasir Asan and Taulant Sefer. And finally, in the middle we would expect Sokol Cikalleshi to lead the line. But recently players like Rei Manaj, Mirlind Daku and Armando Broja have taken the role of the only striker./Taken from " Squawka ". Adapted to Albanian, " Pamphlet ".
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