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Albania kicks off their World Cup qualifying campaign this Friday, when they face England. The Reds are aiming to get a positive result in their first match to get the qualifiers off to a flying start.
Altin Rraklli, the only Albanian player to have scored a goal against the "Three Lions", in an exclusive interview for "Sport News" on "News 24", stopped to talk at length about the match to be played at "Wembley".
In a conversation with Trevisa Tufa, he says that Silvinho's team must be smart, attacking when necessary and trying to "catch the checkmate" of England.
-24 years later, what title would you give to that match on March 28, 2001? 1 goal scored and 1 disallowed against England?
Let's go back a little, because we have another goal that was canceled, even though it was still beautiful, Demollari's. True, it was a crazy match, I came on in the last 5 minutes, in the 85th minute, Vata suffered an injury. I had 45 minutes to warm up behind the goal. The game was almost over, what can you do in 5 minutes? I was angry that I wasn't playing from the start. The only assist that Bushi gave me was him, and he gave it with his hand. That second goal was fantastic, Lala put a ball in the area, I looked for it so well and unfortunately he canceled it. What's gone, is gone, let's see what we get now.
-I would also like the title "the great theft", but there would be a conflict of interest with Demollari. Two masterpiece goals, but unfortunately there was no VAR at that time. I know you are often asked about that match, but to put the dots on the i's, who do you remember more often, the goal scored or the one disallowed?
Usually the Federation publishes it from time to time. I often watch it on Instagram or Youtube, they don't show that case at all. To be more realistic, during the time we played, we were seen as a "black cat" by the referees. Now they can't harm us, because we have created a personality and we have infrastructure. VAR no longer gives you the opportunity to eat such things. At that time, we didn't have the opportunity. Don't cry anymore about what we missed. I haven't seen that case of goal cancellation again.
-Is England today an impossible mission? Can the history of 2001 at least be repeated?
Today there is no mission impossible for any team. Football has changed, there is a big change and evolution. Not more than a month ago, England was defeated at Wembley by Greece. You have to be on a good day and the rival has its own problems.
-In your opinion, how should we play? What should we do to stay in the game, to get a positive result, or are we in England's hands?
There are some circumstances that are not in our favor. For example, they have a new coach and they will aim to start on a good foot. I hope they take us as a weak team, we will be under a lot of pressure. I know him as a coach, he plays high and with pressure. He doesn't let you breathe. We have a big job ahead of us, but not impossible.
-We don't come in perfect conditions, not all players have minutes on their feet, some have recovered in limited situations like Ismajli or Broja, meanwhile we are playing for the first time without Mitaj, how much do these details affect?
They affect a lot, Mitaj's absence is almost irreparable, always in quotes. In this match there is no need for motivation, everyone would have a dream to play. For motivation or concentration, everyone will have it, the problem is in the physical possibilities. If we have problems with players who have few minutes on their feet, we will have difficulties.
-Where can we touch England, what do you feel, or which player can make the difference, or provide a spark?
I would have risked everything or nothing. I would have played with three fast strikers up front and I would have put pressure on the English team. One of the only options we have is to play with fast players. It is known that England have physically strong players, we should use the option of fast players. To catch the ball, to catch England unprepared. England play a lot on the wings, they also play in the center.
-We always get a prediction, I believe this will be the most difficult, England-Albania, how does it turn out?
I don't have a feeling we're going to lose. I hope we can get a result like in the Czech Republic, 1-1. A draw would be fantastic.
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