Silvinho: We fight for every point in the European Championship, I have the formation ready

2024-06-14 18:51:00, Sport CNA

Silvinho: We fight for every point in the European Championship, I have the

The coach of Albania, Silvinjo spoke to the media, on the eve of the match with Italy, which will be played this Saturday in the European.

The red and black technician appeared full of confidence, for a positive result in Euro 2024.

"First of all, I'm happy to be here, we had a difficult qualifying race. It has not been easy and it is a great honor to be with Albania at Euro 2024. I am sorry that the captain left in 2016 and it is fantastic that he is now here, part of the team as captain. Deserves. It represents us very well.

The group is very difficult, we know the competition that awaits us. We come to compete, to fight for every point to have a wonderful championship. After training, we will choose 2 or 3 names, but the 11 is ready.

We have so many Albanians around the world, we know that there are many in Germany, Italy, Switzerland, everywhere. It is a very big responsibility to represent these wonderful people. It will be better in a red and black overflowing stadium.

I promise I haven't spoken to Alberto in the last 6 months. He has done well by winning the European Championship in 2022. I have known him for 20 years and there is a big difference between Italy then and now. Italy is a top level team, great players with all qualities. The wonderful coach, Mancini, Spalleti have a lot of experience and are a top team. When you go out on the field, you go out to win the competition. But we will do the best we can and we want to get points.

You know me very well, we talked. After the match with Moldova where we secured our ticket, now 6 months later the feelings are the same. The team is very motivated. The boys are ready and it will be a great day to represent the country. It will be the day with more emotions. We will do the best we can.

What game do I expect from Italy? I think based on what we have seen, they can adapt to some formations. They have players who enable them to change the game. Hard to break. If we talk as a whole, Italy is strong even if they play defensively. They hold the ball well, position themselves, run. We still have 1 more practice and we have to put the finishing touches.

We know what the competition is, we know how big the opponents are. In 2018 we started the World Cup with Brazil and we were equal against Switzerland, everyone gives their best. When he wins a match, that favorite then struggles. We are under pressure, but we have come to compete. The pressure is less on us as the opposition cannot afford to fake a step. We will fight for every point. We will see, the race is very difficult. Everything happens in a football match.

We studied the opponents and focused on Italy more. In the last week we worked 6 or 8 days which is an important cycle in football to create a strategy. 3-4 days later for other matches. We have prepared for Italy and we want to do well.

As for the level, the players are ready. Physically not. When a player comes with a lot of games played it's good. They have done a very good job. Asllani, Broja look very good even though they haven't played that much. The more he plays the better he is, but my players look very very good physically.

Can Mitaj and Daku improve the team even though they play in Russia or should they play in a bigger league?
They are two great, great players. I will talk about Daku, he is very good. They can improve in the Russian league, it is physically difficult and challenging. They can be strengthened as powerful players with the right mindset like Mitaj. He has been a left back like I used to be. He is young, I love him and I have brought him here for 19 years. I have seen that it can help this National Team. He played only 10 games. I like both of them and they can improve everywhere," said Silvinjo.