The Albanian national team has officially started training for the UEFA Nations League matches today, while footballers Rey Manaj and Ylber Ramadani appeared at the press conference by "Air Albania". The two players spoke about the upcoming challenges, the team's expectations and Albania's objective in these matches.
Rey Manaj said that the team's goal in the Nations League is first place in the group.
The red-and-black striker underlined that in this competition we will see a different team than the one from the June friendlies.
Have you saved goals for the matches with the National Team? – We hope that all the young players and young lads, such as strikers, defenders and midfielders, will give their best in these four matches and score as many goals as possible.
How do you see the difference between the last friendly matches and these Nations League matches? – First of all, I think the last two friendly matches are different from the ones we have now, because they were at the end of the season and all the players were thinking about the holidays after a long season. Plus, we came after the match with Poland and we were all upset about not achieving the objective. The real team will be this Nations League and we have to give our best to reach the first place of the group.
What are our chances of reaching first place? – I think the group comes from a good moment. The players come from different transfers and some of them are still not at 100%. Our main objective is to get into the European Championship. Now we have the Nations League, but our real objective is the European Championship.
I believe that these matches will help us a lot. The coach has also come with a lot of desire to do well. Both the players who have been in the National Team for years, as well as the young players, we are all in the same direction. I am very happy and motivated to start this season well.
Rivalry in attack – Rivalry is a good thing. When you know you're going to play in all the games, you're not fully motivated. We're here in the National Team and everyone is going to play. We have to want the best for the other players. Everyone comes from a good moment and that's good for the whole team.
The absence of Broja and Bajram – I believe that every player who comes to the National Team has their own values. The National Team is a high level and has many options. The coach makes his own choices, while football is also a matter of the moment. Everyone who comes here must give 100%. For the absences, you should ask the coach.
Ylber Ramadani stressed that Albania must enter the match against Belarus seriously and with the mentality to win, relying on the philosophy of the game and high pressure. He stated that, regardless of whether he will play or not, he is fully ready to support the team to achieve the objective: first place in the group.
The match against Belarus? – The match against Belarus is not easy. Now every opponent is difficult to play against. We have to go in very seriously, change the mentality from the last two friendly matches. Go in to win and move forward.
How does the tactical aspect differ from friendlies in official matches in the Nations League? – From the beginning, the coach, when he arrived, made it clear to us that he wants to play with high pressure and wants us to take the opponent forward. As I said, the coach always talks and analyzes the opponent, based on him he also prepares the game that needs to be prepared. How to surprise him.
Do you feel ready to be a starter? – I don't have a problem. And when I was in my best form, there was no problem when I didn't play. Here we are in the National Team and we represent Albania. All the best players gather here. Whether I played or not, I don't have a problem. I will support the guys both at home and away. Just to achieve the objective we have as a team.
The match against Belarus, would you like to be on the field? – Everyone wants to play and represent their country. Here, the coach makes the choices and everything and I am 100% with him. Whether I play or not, it doesn't matter. Just win and achieve the result we want.
The change in format, who did you consider the most difficult opponent and are you convinced that we can come out on top in the group? – In my opinion, football has changed. There is no easy team, everyone runs and fights. Each team can surprise. We have our objective, the coach has expressed it. We express it too. We want to come out on top in the group.
