Albania aims to make history, where it will seek to qualify for the World Cup for the first time. The first obstacle is Poland, with the Rossoneri facing off this month in Warsaw, in the semi-final of the Play Off. The famous coach, Shpëtim Duro, in an interview with Trevisa Tufa, talks about the possibilities that Sylvinho's team has, while he does not hesitate to mention various issues that are making a stir in the national team, such as that of Muç and Mehmeti. Among other things, Duro also analyzes the Albanian championship.

Professor, why this long pause? We waited on the bench, what didn't convince you?

It's not a long period, two months. I've had even longer periods. I've had 2-3 contacts, but I don't want to make a mistake. I made a mistake at the beginning of the championship and I have to be careful. However, I'm waiting.

In fact, this season, except for Tirana, there has been stability in the teams' benches, at least 6 teams continue with the same coach. What has changed? Have the presidents become more docile, or do they have no objectives, or maybe there is no competition.

This is a standard issue. Those teams that have changed coaches a lot are in last place. I refer to Tirana, since when they start they start without a strategy. The same strategy with Flamurtari. These two teams are in last place. I'm sorry because they are a famous team, they have invested a lot. They should have been contenders for the Final Four and not in these waters. Bylisi is a team that was in these situations last season, it is "strong bones". It has stability this season with the coach, since Mireli has experience.

 

A unique case, it is Tirana, Orges Shehi is the fourth coach to sit on the bench. Do you believe that it can have an effect this time? How do you judge Shehi's choice to take the helm of a team that risks survival, by signing a contract until the end of the season. Is this a brave choice?

It is definitely a brave choice. I hope he succeeds. The job of a coach is risky. What worries me about Tirana is that they start the job badly, spend a lot, hire players. They started with Milen, built the team and let him play two games. This makes no sense, since they decided, they have the idea of ​​removing him. Take another Italian coach who gave tests to the many Italians who come and go in Albania without any kind of performance. Then take Nuhiu, in a different environment, in the January period, even I, who know that team well, would be afraid to take Tirana in that situation. Shehi has taken this risk, I hope Tirana can be saved since it is a big name in Albanian football. Both Tirana and Vlora are management issues.

Tirana, even when it's bad, makes news. Profe, we continue the discussion from the leader, from Vllaznia. 7 wins in 8 matches this year. Do you believe this is the right year for the title?

The right year? There have been other years. Because it is a team with tradition, the Shkodra fans are sensitive. I have said it in the first interviews. Vllaznia has built well this season, has maintained the base of last season and has acquired good players. I can mention Kastrati, Kallaku, Bismark or even Gjinaj. It has had a good transfer market, there has been stability.

Is Vllaznia also benefiting from the poor form of Egnatia, Dinamo. Is this the reason why Vllaznia looks so strong?

Vllaznia, as I said, has a good and complete team in all departments. Egnatia and Elbasan are there. Elbasan is good, in a comfortable position.

Egnatia is there, there are some oscillations. It has become a little readable team. Egnatia has a few years, it has a team, it may have problems of euphoria, complacency.

I'm impressed by Egnatia, they continue the season with strong ups and downs. Is this the end of a cycle, or do you still believe in your former team?

The important thing is that Egnatia must fight to win a trophy. It is a team that has little fluctuation. Egnatia is a serious rival for winning the title.

Dinamo is in free fall, you expected this performance, professor, now they are even risking their presence in the "Final4".

Dinamo surprises me too. Crises are normal in a championship, but Dinamo lasted a little too long. Maybe the victory with Vora can bring it back. Dinamo has the situation ahead, they have an important match on Monday with Partizan. Everything is in their hands, open.

Elbasan seems to be in a comfortable position, while Partizan has made a strong comeback in the competition. Did you expect Duro to show this performance by Partizan with Kërnaja on the bench? Do you believe they can reach the Final4?

Partizan did not deserve that situation during the season. In September I played a friendly with Partizan when I was at Besa, I said it, Partizan has many quality players in all departments. Very complete, those oscillations did not belong to a team like Partizan. The turn was made with merit, now Partizan is in the right "lane".

Finally, a very short comment, or a prediction. At this point, who do you see as the favorite, who wins the title?

It depends, you can't judge so quickly, you have to respect Vllaznia. Now the most important phase of the championship begins. All teams, like Vllaznia, or Egnatia, Elbasani, whoever wins will deserve it.

Professor, at the end of this conversation, I want to talk a little about the National Team, I believe we will have another chance to talk at length in the future. At the moment, the biggest question mark is Ernest Muçi. There is talk that he may not even be called up. Do you think about a National Team without Muçi at this moment?

I have always appreciated him since he was in Tirana. Even among friends I have won many bets regarding Muç. Protagonist with goals and assists at Trabzonspor. I do not believe that he will not be included this time. If he is not included this time, there is no longer a football issue, it is another issue.

There is talk that Seferi could return, he could play in the same way as in the European qualifiers. With a winger, so more defensive, in your opinion would that be right? Or more precisely, how would you act with the Muçi case if they were in Sylvinho's position?

If I were the coach, I don't doubt that Muçi would start from the beginning in the lineup. I would find his place, just like the Trabzonspor coach found his place. If not, it would be a big issue, a big question mark.

The same discussion could be about Mehmet, who is in great form. Do you see Mehmet as part of the national team? Should he be called up?

I see the same situation not in Muçi's notes for Mehmeti. I'm sorry, because Sylvinho has collected him himself. We also need players like Mehmeti, Muçi, because they make the difference. Both are players who deserve to be in the collection.

At the same time, we have an injured Broja, his physical condition is unclear, and he hasn't played for about a month. With all due respect to him, should we play these play-off games with Broja on the right wing of the attack?

We have talked about Broja, we have admired him, and the specialists, rightly so. His situation is not good, he is injured, he is not playing at all. In this respect, the coach is right and will think of other solutions.

The rest of the team is not expected to have many changes or innovations, etc. At this moment, how many chances do you give Albania to pass Poland?

Desire and reality are two opposite things. The favorite is Poland because we play on their field. Poland has individuals like Leva. But I have confidence, because we have played well against them before. I have confidence that they will give us a good match and a positive result. We must be a compact team and use transition forms, with surprises like Manaj, so we must introduce creative players. We must be compact in the way the game develops. We have the capacity, but the favorite is Poland.