Gega reveals big blow to Partizani: He has passed medical examinations

2025-04-11 15:17:00, Sport CNA

After the derby loss, Partizan is expecting a reaction against Egnatia in the championship. In the pre-match press conference, the Reds' coach, Skënder Gega, stated that he experienced the defeat against Tirana badly, while also talking about the approach of Herolind Shala.

The team's mood before the match against Egnatia?

Losing in the derby has always had an impact on both sides. If you win, you have a good impact, if you suffer such a loss, I personally experienced it badly for two reasons. First, I have been part of the derby for many, many years as a player. I have also lost the derby. Recently, Partizan lost the derby but I regret the way we approached the field and were punished with 2 penalties and a free kick. In this regard, I have tried not to point the finger at the person because it is not 1 or 2 players in terms of performance. Surprisingly, from the match with Egnatia to the derby match, it is a big number. Maybe even the reaction from my side was almost impossible, every 7 minutes we were hit. However, it is something in the past, we have to look forward. We have tried with all the players to face them, analyze things, mistakes. We have tried these two days to show everyone what the performance was and where they need to be corrected. It was a short time, 3 matches in a few days, maybe the lack of energy, the number of players was also difficult. Without wanting to justify ourselves, those who were activated against Tirana had 100% of our trust. We put Mintongo in as a young player after I had just seen him in the B team. After the match with Egnatia for the cup, he was applauded by the entire staff, the team for his performance, so he was given the opportunity. The derby in the “National Arena” is history, maybe a large part does not know the history of the derby and does not have the proper attention and concentration. I must remind you that the first goal from a foul is unforgivable for a club like Partizani, a superior team, 8 players only look at Alban Hoxha, while the other team was much more demanding. These are small things that, if we take part in them, have a big impact and upset the balance. I repeat, it is in the past and I am confident that we will try to get 100% from everyone. Tomorrow I will try to make changes, always when things don't work there will be changes. We will bring new energy because we are on our own field. We face a good team, we will prepare to take all measures so that that performance in the derby is not repeated.

Against Egnatia, do you only aim for victory?

In football there are unforeseen things, even in the derby I didn't expect to be punished with a penalty. There are unforeseen things. Cooperation is very important, what is needed on the field, it is a collective game. I am worried, it is unforgivable how a derby match is evaluated in that way. Going to a derby without giving 100% is much more honest to say I am not ready because I am tired. Of course we try to get the maximum, we are in the 4th place, we don't have to panic. We have to play our game, we will try to be careful that everything works as a group, then it is football.

I would be very calm and it would be a luxury if this team was 20 points ahead of second place and they would not need me and I would have no merit to emerge champion. I came to my home at the moment they called me to join the project for this kind of difficulty I have no regrets. I came with a responsibility, I hold myself accountable. I could very easily say after the match this is not my team. In these conditions I came with full awareness, I will try to give my contribution with this group of players that are. Let's close these 3 matches, achieve the objectives that the club has set from the beginning and things will definitely change.

Herolind Shala?

Shala is an old acquaintance of mine, we collaborated together on the U-21 team. He is a model of a professional, he grew up with a different mentality, he has his own experiences. In addition to Shala, there have been many players that I have collaborated with, we always maintain respect, they have congratulated me, they have contacted me. Shala expressed his desire since he does not play in Norway because he has not signed and we invited him to come and see the club because he knows the history as well as me. He came and is very pleased. He has passed the medical examinations. It is a very good case that we think about and gives us what we hope will definitely help us in the future. At the moment he has become part of the club even though he has not signed. If he had 100% physical condition, if he had minutes, we definitely need everyone at a level like Shala. So I am pleased and happy that a professional player with that kind of career has come without any conditions. He will simply join the project because he believes that Partizan is a great club and will become part of history. I am very sure that he will have a good contribution because we need professionals like him.