Albania suffered a 2-1 defeat to Poland, being eliminated in the semi-finals of the World Cup Play-off. National team legend, Ledio Pano, invited to Sport News on News 24, answered journalist Trevisa Tufa's questions regarding the situation of the red and blacks, the future of the coach and many questions that arise for Albania.

Ledio, we were so close, just 2 steps away, what was the taste of this loss, what was the first thing that came to mind?

To be honest, before the match I was confident that we would qualify, but it didn't happen. We've tried the European Championship twice, it was the right moment to try the World Cup.

In the eyes of a coach and a former player who has played in big challenges, what went wrong, where did we lose the game?

We didn't start well, in those first minutes we weren't getting into the rhythm of the game, we were making a lot of mistakes. We made mistakes in passing, but as the minutes passed, we took control of the situation. The second half was better, we got ourselves together, we had clear chances. More precisely, they weren't chances, they were two goals given away to get the game going. I'll put the emphasis on the few minutes the players had on their feet.

 

 

Ledio, in football, the coach pays the bill in the end, it's his choices, but we have the right to analyze. First, what did you think of the formation he selected? Would anything have changed?

Now after the match, after the elimination we can talk about many things. What is certain is that all sports fans wanted Muçi and Mehmet. With the matches they played, they gave their maximum. The national team is different from the teams, the national team requires the players to be at 100%. Sylvinho's mistake was that he did not activate Muçi and Mehmet.

In these 3 years, Sylvinho has been judged for the way he reads the game, or the changes. In the most important challenge, he activated Pilon, a player who comes for the first time, maybe he doesn't know all his teammates in the national team. The Golden Ball came to him and he wasted it...

We have to say something, I didn't talk about Muçi and Mehmet in vain, they should be activated more. For me, they should have been starters. The absences of Manaj and Daku also affected. I believe that the whole bill goes to Sylvinho. We don't look at him as fans, but as specialists.

After the match, Sylvinho said that we chose the players we have worked with this year, why doesn't this rule work for Muçi? Why should the most fit player be activated in the 82nd minute?

He will defend himself and has the right to say what he wants. We also played football, not with Barcelona, ​​but we played. The problem is that Muçi and Mehmeti should have been on the field.

After Poland's second goal, after the 73rd minute, there were more than 20 minutes of play. Should he have dared more, whether with Mehmet or Muçi? We didn't have what to lose, I think...

Even if Messi came on in the 82nd minute, it wouldn't do anything. If Muçi and Mehmeti are in shape, you would normally put them on. Bajrami doesn't play for Rangers, we saw that Mitaj wasn't in the right shape. Broja didn't get any minutes at all. Shehu was one of the best, as he has minutes. Laçi tried, but he doesn't have the talent and quality to get you out of "salamet".

Ledio, considering the entire World Cup qualifying campaign, we ended in second place, writes in the "play-off". I want a dry answer. How would you rate it?

Albania has had fluctuations, we have had matches where we played well, we have had matches where we didn't play well. I rate it at 6.5, that would be a lot. Unquestionably passing, since we went to the Play Off.

In these 3 years, Sylvinho must be appreciated without a doubt, we went to the European Championship, we reached the World Cup play-offs for the first time. He is under contract until July. Should we continue with Sylvinho?

These are not difficult questions, but everyone will ignore them. I want to be clear with myself. Sylvinho should not have continued before the qualifiers. Going to the European Championship, it was something forced. Now I don't believe he will take anything more from this team.