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Italy is one of the rivals of our national team in "Euro 2024" and this has increased the interest of the media. The president of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka, gave an interview to "La Politica del pallone" and the focus was on facing the current European champions, the European itself, and then moving on to the changes made in Albania. in infrastructure.
" For us, it is a great success to be in "Euro2024". We did very well in the qualifiers, we came first in the group. Now the draw pits us against Spain, Croatia and Italy. We really didn't want to play against Italy, because as you said, we have good relations with Italy in football as well, not only in politics. Many young Albanians play in Italy, even if you don't know, there are as many Albanian children playing as in Albania. We have a good relationship, but we will be opponents, even if only for 90 minutes. We will try to do our best against the reigning champions of Europe. We know the strength of Italy, of the players, of the team, but we and we have come here without anyone giving us anything. We have won our group and we will do our best to face this match ", said Duka.
Asked if the match against Italy is like a World Cup final for Albania, Duka added: "All European matches are difficult. Our players have to play this match like any other, like against Poland and Czech Republic in the qualifiers. We have to play the match against Italy as a normal match. Of course, it is an important match, because if we do well, we can move forward in the European Championship.
If not, we have to watch the matches with Croatia and Spain. Playing against the European champions is a beautiful thing. The only problem is that all Albanians want tickets for that match. I hope that the fans will create a positive atmosphere, as we did in the friendly we played against Genoa".
Politicians in the stadium - " The Albanian Prime Minister is sure to come. I don't think there will be any politicians missing in the match against Italy, they will all come. Prime Minister Rama is a football fan, a fan of the National Team and will certainly be in the stadium for this match. Meloni doesn't know, I hope he comes ", said the Duke.
Recipe for victory - "Beating Italy is something very difficult, very difficult, but we will try to do it. We will play it like a normal match. We played without pressure, it will be easier for us. Italy is an experienced team, with good players, they are the reigning champions of Europe, but they suffered a little in the qualifiers," said Duka.
Investments in Albania - " Infrastructure in Albania has changed a lot in recent years. We have the stadium in Tirana, where you saw the Conference League final. We have built a training center for the National Team, which has all the conditions, not as big as Koverçiane, but it has everything inside for the national teams. We have reconstructed four other stadiums, not only the one in Tirana. Currently, we have been selected to organize the European Championship for Under-17 in 2025. We have used all the resources, with the help of the government and FIFA and UEFA projects. We have made important steps forward, " he said.
European group - " We have the European champions, world champions and the finalist of the World Cup in the group. They are strong teams, one of the strongest in Europe. In Europe it is difficult to find weak teams. They are all strong teams. We can be one of the weakest teams, we are in the European for the second time. As I said at the beginning, nobody gave us anything either. We came here with the work the players have done, with the results obtained in the group. We will try to do our best. We will try to pass the group, if we do not succeed, we will be happy with the participation ", said Duka.
Prediction for the European - " Albania wins the European (laughs). If it happens, all of Albania will come to Germany to watch the final. Now let's talk seriously, the strongest teams are those in the first pot, England, France, Portugal. However, in such tournaments there are different specifics and you never know what can happen. Italy can also win it, as it did in 2021. For me, the favorites are France, England and Italy" , Duka concluded the interview. / FFF
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