Contract renewal, Silvinjo speaks for the first time: Now we aim for the World Cup

2024-08-20 16:33:00, Sport CNA

Contract renewal, Silvinjo speaks for the first time: Now we aim for the World

Albania's coach, Silvinjo, has spoken for the first time, after renewing his contract with the red and black national team.

In the interview given to TV Klan, the red and black technician spoke about the experience in the finals of the European Championship "Germany 2024", as well as commented on the extension of the agreement with the AFL to continue the project started in the direction of Albania.

In addition, coach Silvinjo also spoke about the UEFA Nations League matches, while adding that the objective of the future is qualification for the World Cup.

Below is the full interview:

Germany's European, you analyzed the matches once again, now with a cold mind, what would you have done differently? - The moment has come to talk about everything that has happened in this year and a half of work. A first cycle of the journey we made together. A very beautiful journey, going to play for the second time in the finals of a European Championship, is something historic. We all know, even humans, that it is not easy to get there. But when we arrived we found a strong and difficult group. But I was happy about it. Facing Italy and Spain, who won the European Championship, as well as Croatia, an exceptional team. In fact, it is easy to analyze after the matches. Of course there are things that should have been done differently, but I went with the thought that we would represent a nation as best as possible. I told the players too, we had to be in the game in every match at all costs. We did well with Italy, the match with Croatia could have been won. This is a difficult championship with many risks. Every mistake is a goal conceded. I am very happy with the footballers but of course, there is always something to improve. We changed the module for the second game by adding a player in the midfield, but overall we did very well.

In a personal aspect, but also as a coach of the National Team, what have you benefited from, what are the lessons you learned from the European finals? - We learned a lot, excellent experience. As an associate, I was in the Brazilian national team at the World Cup in Russia. Even the European has the same level. We have a new team and that is beautiful. We played against very strong players and teams. Going there is a luxury, for us it was crazy. Personally, I learned a lot. Every mistake costs you a lot because the level of competition is very high. The players knew this very well, that you can't make a mistake because you suffer and are immediately out of the game. It is a great experience for the players as well. The level of concentration was very high.

After the finals came the renewal of the contract. I believe you wanted to focus on the European first and then think about the renewal which I believe was not something difficult to achieve? - No, absolutely not. In fact, it was a wish of the Federation and ours, but it was the European one. We have reasoned well with both parties, both the Federation and us as staff. Our thought was to work hard for the European, to avoid even the smallest mistake, so as not to lose concentration. The most important thing at that moment were the footballers, it was a whole nation, there were 3 million here and 10 million outside Albania. For us as a staff it is an advantage to continue working forward after a good result. Today we are not starting from scratch with the Albanian National Team. Today we start from more than 50% recognition of the team and players. Now we have to improve, go after many other footballers who can serve us. We are satisfied because we know Tirana, the Federation, we know the Albanians, so the renovation was easy for us.

Now the work resumes, but with the Nations League matches. Do you have an ambition for this competition, or will these matches serve as preparation for the World Cup qualifiers, which is a much more important goal than the Nations League? - There is a dream, a desire and a goal to go to the World Cup. But meanwhile we have an important competition like the League of Nations. I do not consider it as a passing moment to gain experience or to prepare. The first objective is to improve the team, to find new players. This is National, and as such is open. If there is a player who serves us, then he will come. The League of Nations is tough, and we have a tough group with Ukraine, Georgia and the Czech Republic. We will fight for every point. It won't be easy but we will go into every game to win.

After the UEFA Nations League come the World Cup qualifiers. Do you have a plan to change something in the team, maybe a different way of playing, or a different mentality? What is your opinion for now? – I think there is always room for improvement. Beyond the module, we have a good base, we have practically 70 or 75% of the group, but we have players who come with a lot of experience after the European. The players have understood one thing that for me, for the Federation and for Albania, beyond the module, experience, players, technical quality, what is not negotiated is the heart and soul of the team. The players know that they have to have this both in training and in matches because it took us to the Europeans. People have understood the desire and spirit of the team, that the soul and heart is there on the field.