Albania aims to write history, as it seeks historic qualification for the World Cup. In the semi-finals of the Play off, the red and black team will face Poland, with the challenge to be held in Warsaw on March 26. In an interview for Sport News on News 24, legend Rudi Vata spoke about our chances, the possibilities and the limits of the national team at this stage. In the conversation with Trevisa Tufa, Vata analyzes the list and does not hesitate to mention specific elements that could make the difference on Thursday's big night.

 

 

Rudi, first of all, how does this moment feel to you, in 10 years we have been to the European Championship twice, now we are in full-time competition for a ticket to the World Cup. Is this the most important match in history?

For the fans and for us in the football section, this is a great match. This is the first time we are so close to the World Cup. The level of difficulty is also high. It is a match that we do not have the right experience to know how to manage the situation. Being a growing national team, the confidence is greater.

The same question was asked to Lewandowski, no he said. It is not the most important match, but it is the match that must be won at all costs. Is this the only positive detail, the fact that the pressure is not on us. Are we in the same position?

The expectations are that Poland will go to the final, because Polish football itself and figures like that, are normally the main favorites. The pressure is very high, the Poles' expectation is that Albania will not be at their level. On a beautiful day and in good condition, I think we can pull off the surprise. We pulled off the surprise against Serbia and this could be the next surprise. This is a massive match, very big!

This is a one-on-one match, a must-win match, Vata, and this fact complicates this transfer even more. I believe we cannot wait 90 minutes or more, hoping not to concede, waiting for some mistake from Poland. In your opinion. How do you think Sylvinho will play?

I think that in terms of physicality we should come out victorious in duels. The Poles are known for their physicality. We should play calmly in the first 20-25 minutes, when I think they will put pressure. It is very important for the Poles to show their teeth in the first minutes. In our case, we will respond aggressively. I am sure that then the match will open up and then we will have our chances.

 

 

Rudi, are you concerned about the fact that in this group, we have players like Broja who comes with very few minutes on his feet, having just returned from injury. Also Arbër Hoxha, Nedim Bajrami plays little or not at all. Manaj was injured at the end, etc. How much can these details affect?

It was important for the players who reached the Play off, to focus on their physical condition. These players, plus Hysaj and Asllani, have not been in good physical condition. With the new energy coming to the team from Muçi and Mehmeti, they have a good ratio with the goal, I hope this will bring compensation for our shortcomings.

The biggest question mark that the red and black fans have is the role of Ernest Muç in this match. What does Vata think, will Sylvinho dare, will he trust him with a starting jersey?

Muçi knows the Polish mentality well. He received a kind of education in the Polish school. There was an important move from Legia to Besiktas. He has maintained continuity, he has become the absolute leader of Trabzonspor. He is the most famous player in the national team.

Why this big dilemma about Muç, his role, why should there be so many doubts about the most in-form player Albania currently has? What does Sylvinho lose if he trusts Muç?

It depends on the ideas. We know that Sylvinho has changed a little in his ideas. The pressure has been great, as the results of Muçi and Mehmeti have made it impossible to ignore. The absences of Daku and Manaj, they would both be called if they were not injured. Muçi and Mehmeti know the opponent's area well. It is important to build the offensive game with these players.

Your attack on Poland...

Between Broja, Uzun, Muç and Mehmet, I think the attack should be built. Sylvinho will put pressure down, because up top it would be suicide. The team needs to be compact. Let's play with counterattack and try to damage Poland. If we have players with dynamic movements, we can damage them.

We focused a lot on the attacking phase, because on paper, it seems like it's the only department that can make changes, but first of all. I believe we first have to think about how to stop Lewandowski and his friends. Will it be difficult, this Vata? We saw Leva against Newcastle in the Champions League, he scored a "double", even though he's 38 years old. How difficult will this part be, to stop Lewandowski?

To defend Lewan is difficult, as he has natural qualities that are there for the goal. No matter how much you think, he only needs one chance to score. He is a “hunter” of the attack, he is a player who has the physique of a 20-year-old. He continues with the same rhythm and with the same mentality. The game will be based on Lewa, that is where the group is motivated because he is the star of the team. There is no formula to cover Lewa. We have to eliminate the “food” that will be given to him.

A question that often accompanies us, almost throughout his entire adventure, Sylvinho prefers the Gjimshiti-Ajeti duo. Ismajli on the bench…

I think this is the duo, I hope Kumbulla is also in top form. Ismajli is brave. Sylvinho has been effective with Ajeti and Gjimshiti. I believe this will be the center duo.

On March 31th, do you think we will play another final? Or will we just play a friendly? What are our chances of getting past Poland?

The chances are more or less small, but even if it's a 5 percent probability, we have to fight for it. If we're on our best day, we can make it. We need our batteries to be fully charged.

Finally, I would like to make a comment about Kosovo. On March 26, the "Dardans" face Slovakia. What do you think, what are their chances of advancing?

I believe in Kosovo a lot because they are growing. They are very organized and have good balance. They have goal-scoring players and are very creative in attack. They could be the Cinderella of the World Cup, because they have high-level quality.