FLASH
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Hamdi Salihi, the former "bomber", in an exclusive interview for "News24", analyzed Albania's first two challenges in the League of Nations, against Ukraine and Georgia. In his conversation with the moderator Trevisa Tufa, Salihi made public for the first time the decision that after the European Championship he retired from his role as assistant coach of the National Team. At the moment he has taken a break as he lives far away, in the USA. Salihi left open the possibility of a return in the future as he discussed this decision with coach Silvinjo and the leaders of the AFL:
-Salihi, what happened to Georgia, weren't we in the best evening, or was Georgia on top?
To tell you the truth, I watched both games, even the first games of the opponents, it was clear that we were going to face a strong team. Georgia has greatly increased the quality on offense. I was prepared that it would not be an easy match.
-Within 3 days we saw two totally different representatives, against Ukraine we developed a super challenge, while against Georgia it looked like a different team. We were so convinced that we wouldn't lose that Agustin Kola said with certainty: even Brazil can't beat us, he told me...
It's not like that, we've always discussed that we need to grow and improve, but without forgetting who we are. We are Albania, we don't have 50 high level players. The match against Georgia was much better tactically than against Ukraine. The whole team was very well aligned. We lost our balance, desperately looking for the goal.
- Was Georgia a test of sobriety, a match not to be missed?
Albania's most difficult matches are those that must be won. Against Georgia, the team gave importance properly, we played well until the end.
-Did you really expect such a strong Georgia, a team that leads the Group with 6 points after 2 games?
I said that apart from the European Championship, I have watched Georgia's matches. When the toss is drawn, the teams line up in order. Based on it, Georgia and Albania are below. On the field, teams are valued for who they are. Even Georgia has an ardent fan base, they have grown a lot. The staff expected the same.
-A would have signed at the beginning for 3 points in the first 2 games, since initially we did not expect to win against Ukraine in the transfer, just as they did not expect to lose against Georgia...
3 points in 2 games stand, it's no drama. It is called an accomplished objective. We have moved up a level and play against strong opponents. The disappointment is that we got 3 points in the first game and we thought we will win again.
-Since the day Sylvinho landed in Albania, this was the first loss at home, I'm sorry Salihi, I'm sorry that this loss came right now, after a European where we gained a lot of experience and after a victory in the transfer against Ukraine... .
Everyone wants to prolong that feeling of invincibility as long as possible. I'm glad, it was played the right way, there was no underestimation from us.
- One of the most negative statistics produced by this match was the fact that we did not hit the square once, it had never happened before with Sylvinho on the bench, why Salihi?
Both teams were playing cautiously. Until the goal, the game was the same, not even Georgia had any chances and shots against us. We had fantasy, even though we didn't shoot on goal. We also had floating shares.
-Rey Manaj, Asani, Arbër Hoxha, it was the first time, don't get me wrong, that Sylvinho tried this offensive trident from the first minute, but Bajrami also faded a lot for us, what went wrong with the offensive department this time?
Hoxha has earned his place, he has become an important player. Rather, it is the merit of the opponent. I told you that we have a team that suffers a little from the fact that it plays often, that is, 2 games in 3 days. Even Asani, I am happy for him, that he has started to play a lot.
- To me personally, but also to a part of the fans, this match resembled the doubles match against Hungary in the World Cup qualifiers, a "chess" match solved by individuals, did you miss Broja Salihi?
We have always said that Broja's qualities are extraordinary. He is very important to our team. Also, the presence of Gjimshiti is essential. Everyone would have their own role in these matches.
- Not only Broja, Daku was absent, Cikalleshi retired, Uzuni who is not the first choice, have the balances in the attack changed now?
Coach Sylvinho has made a good mix. He picks the players he thinks are right. We are lucky even when all these players are injured, we have opportunities to choose.
-I am very curious Salihi about the Shpendi brothers, are they in focus of Sylvinjo, or any other player has many talents in Europe, do we expect any new approach, or are you focused on Brajan Gruda?
The two Shpendi brothers have the coach's attention. In the Federation, not only the coach works, but also the technicians of the ages. All these people are in contact with the general director. There is an exchange of information that can end up in the first team. Even at the ages below, there is scouting and player information.
- In attack, the absences were felt a lot, but the discussion was different in defense, Ismajli-Kumbulla made Gjimshiti, the captain, forgotten, how did Salihi see this pair, is this pair of the future?
Ismajli is a proven player, he has proven himself all the time. Despite the fact that in Europe, it was a choice to play with someone else. It was good for Kumbulla, who has played good matches with Espanyol. Gjimshit's presence on the field is necessary, there are some players who create the right impact on the field.
- There were many reactions to the game of Kristjan Asllani, are you satisfied with what he gave in these two meetings?
Asllani has grown a lot, in both meetings he played well, stepped on every corner of the field. It looks like an engine that won't stop. He tramples everywhere, it is useless to talk about him.
-Does the objective change now, or more precisely, does the objective to win this group become more complicated?
We are still in the game, 3 points in 2 games is more than enough, this is an acceptable target. Our national team has a good one that has shown that it takes matches in a row. The level has increased, the concentration has increased, the confidence after the match with Ukraine has increased. I have no problem at all that the two October matches will be played outside. Anything can happen in these two games, you can come out with 0 or 6 points easily
-Finally, I want a short comment about your Vllaznia, it is inevitable, an interview is not complete without a question about Shkodra. How did you see them this season, will they break the curse?
They played a good game against Egnatia, they were well placed against a team that has done well in the last 2 years. They are a good group, but I hope they have what they have always lacked, as in recent years they have played very good matches, especially with the big teams, but I hope they find the right stability, be more consistent in results. With this formula applied, it is very achievable, it is enough to capture the top four, a target that Vllaznia should not discuss, then there are only two games for the title. It is very attainable, but it is not easy.
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