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Apart from an easy opponent, the Albanian National Team is preparing to play the last friendly with Azerbaijan, before the challenge with Italy in the European Championship.
For former captain Altin Lala, this match will be decisive. In an exclusive interview for " Panorama Sport ", Lala says that the Reds and Blacks do not need motivation against Italy and that they should play that match with full focus. He was surprised by the exclusion of three players, and also explains why Abrashi is valuable in Europe. Meanwhile, the former midfielder says these friendlies are worth it for the players to get to know each other better.
How much value did the friendly with Liechtenstein have for the Albanian National Team?
In general, these are training matches rather due to the fact that the opponent is not strong either. I see it as logical, because when you want to try a new player who does not have many minutes with the National Team, it is easier for them to understand each other. To get to know each other better, to have a confidence on the field, despite being together in training, this was a training game.
You were a midfielder who did not stop running, physically, except for the modest opponent, how did you see the team?
We had the most turnover with the ball, so it was worth it. I think that the bags will have time these two weeks to reach the right level. I have always said that the minutes in the clubs are also important because here it is not that you will gain any great conditioning or physical preparation because it is a short time, they come after the championships, do not have minor injuries. This is the main one. From what I saw, the team looks good physically.
In terms of psychology, Broja and Asani returned to the goal they had missed so much. Do you think they are ready to face the European?
Whether they are or not, the matches will be played, but I believe they will be ready. If we look at the matches in order, the focus is more on Italy as it is played first. I think that until that match, every player who will be on the field, will not need motivation. If we have a player who needs motivation, he should not enter the stadium at all (laughs). It is a match that as a player of the Albanian national team you cannot always experience. I think that motivation will not be a problem and everyone who will enter the field will give their best.
With Italy, we will practically be the inferior team on paper, will there be another preparation as a match?
Yes, from the tactical side, it will be a different match, due to the very fact that there is a difference between Italy and Azerbaijan. But, even from the psychological point of view, being superior in these friendly matches is not bad. In all the strong matches, like with Poland and the Czech Republic, we had the same role as we will have with Italy. We tried to be compact, not to allow spaces for the opponent. This tactical way will also be with Italy. I think the coach will not go up and press him, as Manchester City plays. Only City and Barcelona do it in their own time, or big teams, so it will be different.
Before the list was announced, you were told that there will be a surprise, who did you refer to?
There were many surprises. (laughs). As the coach also said that in general everyone would make their own list and there would always be disagreements. Having said what it is, I am referring to what Cikalleshi, Uzuni and Bare have been part of and I did not expect all three to go out. There were three surprises and vice versa with the players who have arrived, it is relative. Some were not even thought of by anyone to be part of the list. That was the idea.
Why can Abrashi be valuable in the European when he was not present in any qualifying match?
Abrashi from the mentality he has. I know him since 2013 and he is an energetic, serious, very hard-working player, he runs a lot and maybe the coach will need him for the match against Italy. There he comes in 120 percent focused, to win duels. Despite the fact that he is 34 years old, he is very good physically, has experience and can definitely be a factor. I don't know if he will play from the start or not, that will be seen when the day of the match comes. But I look at it positively.
How do they look in the eyes of Altin Lala, Spain and Italy, are they so scary, looking at the players they have called?
We have our chances. We just have to use them. In the first game, it has to be all about us, to get a positive result, everyone to be in good shape, focus more than 100 percent and have a bit of luck. Football sometimes requires a bit of luck. If all these components will be on our side, then we can get a positive result, where the draw also comes in, since the second match is against Croatia, which is still a great team, but you have a final chance then. The draw was difficult, but we have our chances. I see Spain even more frightening because of the way they play, it doesn't suit us, but the focus should be only on Italy./ Panorama Sport
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