With a cool mind and a fiery heart, Albania takes to the field on June 7 to face Serbia in a World Cup qualifying match.

This challenge cannot be considered ordinary, knowing history. Former Rossoneri striker, Hamdi Salihi, in an interview for Sport News on News 24, made his analysis before this challenge.

In the conversation with Trevisa Tufa, Salihi expressed optimism about a possible victory, while not denying that he is afraid of unrest.

 

 

Salihi, more than 11 years have passed, how do you remember that challenge with Serbia today?

To be honest, many years have passed, but every moment is fresh. When I think about it, I hope it never happens again. It was really something very dangerous, it could have ended even worse than what it ended up being.

Were you afraid? Do you really think you risked your life? Can you tell me what you discussed with the players afterwards, remind us of any spicy details..

From the emotions of the match, you don't understand the level of danger there, but when we got involved in the chaos and the punches... Seeing the footage afterwards, reading about the dangerous people who had entered the field, seeing that it could have escalated even more, it was really very dangerous. When a crowd forms, it could have gone even worse. We spent a little time playing games, but that situation was difficult.

Do you think we could have a similar story with the famous drone again, are you afraid of such an episode?

To be honest, I'm a little afraid of it, because the history of the Albanian people with Serbia does not have good memories. When it comes to the match with Serbia, there are emotional influences even from people who are not related to football. They don't know how much it ruins football. We have such a past, I hope nothing bad happens.

How do you see this meeting today, how do you see Albania today in comparison to that of 11 years ago?

We are more or less in the same situation, even then we had gained confidence due to some positive results like those against Portugal and Denmark. Our team has grown, formed, we enter every competition with the belief that we can qualify.

How does this great pressure affect the team, we all know that it is not a match like all the others...

It's true. I have an expression, what is happening around the national team, the importance of the event, I can't hide it. The only thing the coach or the players can do is prepare to face this pressure. Each of the players has their own story. Our team has reached the right maturity.

Salihi, are we doomed to win this match? How is Serbia defeated?

I am part of football. In 90 minutes everything happens, you can be in shape, you can be not. This match is for our objectives and we will play to win.

How did the list look with Salihi, Seferi out, Daku, Muçi, etc. returning, will we play in attack?

We know that the whole philosophy of Sylvinho, the national team has a main axis of players, then the movements are 3-4. I like this, because it creates stability. Someone stays out, someone is called up, these are the coach's choices.

I'm very curious to know your taste, leaving Sylvinho aside, who would you prefer to have in attack?

The game must be studied very well, it is very complex. The choice of player to play in attack also depends on the type of midfielder he will play.

Whoever plays in attack, let them score. Daku, if he plays, is more emotionally involved. Let him be more controlled, let him be the player he needs on the field. He is achieving with the club.

For me, I said, whoever plays, whoever can, should score.

Ismajli is back in the game, Hysaj is back, you think the defensive unit will change. What about the midfield?

All the players are ready, Kumbulla has done well, and Ajeti also plays every match. I'm glad that all the players are there. Then it's the coach's job to stay awake and solve the dilemmas. Both matches are on the coach's mind.

A prediction as the challenge arises…

We will win 2-0. I don't have any premonitions as usual, I hope we win because it would be very good for us, in terms of the objectives we have as a team.

(JS/BalkanWeb)