New: Towards Georgia with changes, but there is no room for underestimation

Players playing in Spain will not travel to Albania for the match with Georgia. Returning to the friendly match with Spain, the red and black coach insisted that our team was denied two clear penalties.

Do you have a message for the fans about the match with Georgia?

I should not tell any of the fans, because they have responded very well every time we have played in Albania, especially now that the impression has been created that this team is making good appearances, especially against Spain. Footballers are aware that they can afford teams like Spain, which is the favorite to win the World Cup. The last appearance is a motive for having enthusiasm. We feel sorry for what happened to us in the 90th minute, because with a little more concentration we could get a result that for us would have been very important for morale. The boys did everything well, we could not say anything to the boys, there were two net penalties that were not given to us. If there was a VAR, two penalties would be awarded to us. Even their second goal is questionable for offside position. It was minimal, but still out of the game. So the appearance against Spain gets more value. It was simply friendly because otherwise there would be strong controversy.

I hope such mistakes do not happen again, because it is not the first time we suffer. I have to appreciate the performance of the players and I am very happy with what we are doing. We also lack a small step forward, especially in terms of attention, because we concede goals that we can avoid and can make better use of the attacking situation.

Will there be changes in the lineup in the next match? What match do you expect?

There will be many changes, because the friendly serve to appreciate all the players. Let’s see who is good and who is bad. Everyone’s condition had to be assessed. Those who feel tired will not play. I will completely change the midfield. Bare has a problem in the pulp and the doctor told me not to risk even pulling it out in training, so stay here. We will also leave Uzun here, because there are very important matches with Granada. While Balliu and Baren stayed… I have four “wedges” so it is not a problem. We should also have cooperation with clubs. Georgia is a strong team, it beat Sweden 2-0, it won against Bosnia. It is a team that runs a lot and it is not bad technically either. It is well organized, so I predict difficult matches for us. No wonder I had asked for two strong friendships, which make us aware of our opportunities and for the boys to gain experience. We need matches of this level, which give us the opportunity to activate 20 players and understand the form of each.

Are you afraid that the name of the opponent may make the players not engage as against Spain?

Every time we have met again, I have emphasized that we can not reduce our attention, because for Albania the friendlies are not friendly, they should be considered as official matches. We need to always have motivation, even in training. I think the team is improving, who will enter the field will give the maximum.

Cikalleshi-Broja will be the final duo of the attack?

No, absolutely. There are two players trying the gate, but the others are doing well too. Manaj is playing and Vrioini has finally found continuity, he has scored 13 goals in Austria, he is in good shape. I want to appreciate them all, so tomorrow they will have the opportunity to play. Of course Broja and Cikalleshi remain very important players. I am also looking at Muçi or other strikers at U-21, who are conspicuous. So, we are looking to the future, because my main objective, in addition to doing our best in the Nations League, is to qualify for “Euro 2024”.

We had to defend against Spain, but we have to attack against Georgia…

Of course Georgia is a completely different opponent, but we have in mind that it is a team that defends well, runs a lot and is dangerous in counterattack. The important thing for us is to use the characteristics of the players we have and get the most out of them. It is very important to make a technically perfect match, to be very focused on the field, to make as few mistakes as possible and to use as many opportunities and spaces that Georgia can leave us at different moments of the game. The boys already know and are clear about how they should interpret this match and how they should play. Anyway Spain is the only team in the world that has this game philosophy, a team that can touch the ball 50 times and you do not see it at all. Georgia is different from Spain, but it is by no means a weaker rival. It is a good team and we have to make a careful match. Georgia has its strengths and weaknesses but for us it is important to use every moment and finalize as best we can the moments presented to us.

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