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Capital derby, Gega: Respect for Tirana, but we are eternal rivals

2025-04-06 20:59:00, Sport CNA

Tirana and Partizan will face each other in what is also the last derby of this season.

The two teams from the capital face off in a delicate challenge for the championship. Victory is a must for both teams, but in Tirana they are doomed for the three points.

The white and blue team hold the last place in the table and therefore three points are required at all costs.

They also have a goal of winning against Partizan. Coach Skënder Gega spoke with respect for Tirana, but added that the teams are eternal rivals and the maximum is required.

"Each derby has had its difficulties in their clubs and we have our own problems and almost in a few days three matches have been played. All three have been necessary. You saw them, we have successfully passed them. We have spent energy, but at the same time it has also done us good because we are properly gearing up with the demands we have. The derby remains a derby, in any situation, at any time, regardless of the situation in the classification of the teams. We are rivals, eternal rivals and it is up to me as a coach and former footballer to speak with respect for the history of Tirana, we are friends with a large part of them and we have represented Albania together. So in this aspect this match has value. Points are necessary for us, because we are in a position that we have to do well, for 90 minutes we are rivals, everyone wants success. It is not easy and I do not know what will happen, but we will enter with confidence to do our duties.

In every place the coach goes, he tries to do his best, that's the position. Here there is a greater dose of kindness and hospitality, this makes you give even the reserves you have. Fortunately, I was received with hospitality by the club and they did everything to make me feel comfortable. But also with the players every day to get to know and understand each other better, to try to play in the way we have set during the 90 minutes that is my duty. So I am satisfied, very satisfied. I would like to be here forever, to be here all the time. But such is football, the plans of every club. Today I am here, I want to see money, I don't want to go back.

We are not the ones who determine the performance of opponents and rivals, historically it is what I said, in any position that Tirana or Partizan is, this is one of the most important matches of the Superiore, regardless of the classification, but it is also for the city, the fans. They have their chances, they try to support the team in their own way, so everything is positive. Then who succeeds is another thing, the analyses are done later. But it is a day that gives you adrenaline. When the athletes that I manage understand what club they represent and what support they have around them, the dose they give you more will be very large. But everything is going well so far.

The team is trying to work very well, the players with a lot of workload like Bintsuka, to recover. We have not decided anything until tomorrow. Serious and young group, they need support and trust. Until tomorrow I hope they rest more. It is the end of the championship, the situation due to the busy matches and the calendar has made them get tired. Not everyone is in the same position, we will try to put them in the right position. We have other reserves, everyone has an agreement with the club. It has to be with respect and everything, because that is how it works.

Today, football is not played without passion and aggression. It is a duty to be like that. People who do this job must decide. The way we will decide, we will try to give it our all. The derby makes the players emotional, yes we will try to always be attentive, I am pleased with how they are responding and tomorrow from the first minute until the whistle blows, to be calm and without pressure. I am the type of person who makes things clear. The moment the match starts, I want things to go well, but I have the courage to make corrections. Not being aggressive in the derby is something unacceptable, it increases the dose, but "fair play". We must protect ourselves, be focused. We hope we can do it.

"We will go in tomorrow to get the maximum, the maximum is known, there are 3 points, there is 1. I am not a person who predicts. An acceptable derby, but we will see, I do not know if it will be a draw, but we will go in for the maximum", said the Partizan coach.

The Tirana-Partizani derby will be played this Monday evening, starting at 8:00 PM, at the "Arena Kombëtare" stadium.