Rolando Maran published his first list as the coach of the representative team, which included new names like Luis Hasa and Pano Qirko, but also returning players like Seferi, Cristian Shpendi and the two goalkeepers, Alen Sherri and Simon Simone. What stands out was the absence of important names like Eresnt Muçi, Rey Manaj and Thomas Strakosha, who were injured. On the eve of the two friendly tests against Israel and Luxembourg, Rolando Maran spoke at a press conference explaining the choices made and what he expects from the two friendly tests:
How difficult was the selection of players and what are your expectations from the newest name, Luis Hasa? – I would have liked this list to be a little longer. I would like to see all the players and who are more functional to adapt to the matches. Since these are two important matches for the team's preparation and in the future. It has been difficult, but I have referred to the large list that was created. I have worked to better understand the condition of the players. Some of them, if they are in good physical condition and how their injury is going. I can also mention the names of the players who are injured. Strakosha, with whom I communicated on the phone and is continuing his recovery where he is. We have had communication and met with Dajsinan, Muçi, Manaj and Gripshi, who have been here. They have visited us and made the appropriate assessments in our clinic. It is important to work in this aspect to get the most out of these players. These will be two very important matches.
Edgar Çani has stated that with Maran, attackers score a lot and that Armando Broja will take the qualitative step in this adventure, what do you think? – I am happy for what he said. I take the opportunity to greet Edgar Çani. It is true, in fact during my work it has happened that players have scored a record number of goals during the season. When the team builds a lot, it means that it helps the attack to score. If it scores and the results are favorable, this is a good sign for the team. This can help Armando Broja, but also the other players and attackers. In a national team, the more we work as a group, the more results can be obtained through goals. I am convinced that with the work on the field we will help the attackers and the entire team to reach the goal. After the goal, the results also come.
The absence of Ivan Balliu? – I spoke with him 3-4 days ago. He was very honest in his statement and told me that he doesn't know yet if he will continue playing with the National Team and he needed some time to decide. For me, this is the right thing. Of course, he is a player who has done a lot for the National Team and has played a lot of matches. I believe that it is the right thing in this case for him to take time to think.
More important to configure the team for EURO 2028 or to get positive results immediately? – We are always hungry and proud to achieve good results. But as I said earlier, there has been little time available because I have also referred to the waiting list that was sent. I will try to understand what is functional and good now based on the players who have done well in the last matches of the National Team and of course taking what can serve the ideology and the football that I want to play. There is no pressure, there is only the desire to win and the desire to have good results for the fans who always support the team and want the team to win. Of course not by experimenting, although experiments that are measured can lead to results. But growth does not always come through experiments. I believe that these are the conditions to do well with the team. It is a delicate moment since it is the end of the season and the players come tired and burdened by the matches they have played. However, from what I have communicated and seen so far, there is a great sense of sacrifice from the players and availability to always be close to the national team. And this is a very good start. Of course, it is important to start everything and understand what situation we are in. To close the question, after these two matches are over, I will have space to pay attention to the U-21 National Team. I know some of the players and I will be lucky enough to see them in the match against Italy. This is the next step to see the players we have in the national teams.
Will you gather players who are in form or will you have your own list and decide who will play? – I wish the controversy would stay with the former coach and not with me. There will be no such rule. I think I would be making a mistake if I had such rules. Each case is individual. We have to see what serves the national team best. Of course, form matters and is valued in certain cases. But of course there is a difference between a player who plays in higher leagues and has fewer minutes and a player who plays in the third league. The latter has fewer chances. But if this player has more minutes than another player, that changes. I have to be objective in the choices we will make. It does not help the team that many players do not have many minutes. But I cannot define specific rules at this moment.
What formation will you use, 4-3-3 or 4-3-1-2? -The goal is to have a 4-man defense and of course using 3 more offensive players. This needs to be tested and verified once I have the players here and I don't want to prejudge a choice that could be a bluff at a certain moment because I want to be honest. I need to see the players and decide on the module.
Is there any player from the U-21 National Team that you would have liked to have been part of this list? – I wouldn't do the right thing if I mentioned names, because for me it's right that everyone feels the possibility of getting closer to the National Team. I've even trained some of them, but it's more right that everyone has the motivation to be part of the National Team.
The absence of Yasir Asani and will there be minutes for the young players? – Asani has not been in the squad because he has not played for a long time. To be honest, I have not spoken to him directly, but my colleagues have spoken and told me that he has stopped playing. I hope there will be minutes for the young players. While I am here, it is because I want to give minutes to everyone. I want to start training them to understand what they can give. Maybe not everyone will have the opportunity to play, but the fact that they are here means that my goal is to give them minutes. We will see how many minutes and to whom.
What is the first impression after the first days of work and in these matches we will see the assembled players or your ideas? – There is no better moment than this to be happy. I am experiencing this experience with enthusiasm, with the desire to be among you and all the people who love the National Team. I am experiencing it very well, with the desire to achieve objectives together, to celebrate from time to time, to have small objectives and to say that we have taken the first step, and then to become better together. Of course, I hope to see both. I want to transmit something. I can't wait to start, because I know that there is good basic material and valuable players who can express my ideas. Then, the players are the protagonists, because with their qualities they implement the coach's ideas. Therefore, we can see both my ideas, but also the players who will create a common identity as a team, in order to express these ideas as best as possible.
Which players do you think will be at the center of the new project and will these two friendlies be worth carrying out a gradual renewal of the group? – I think there is a base of players who have actually done well and have moved the team forward even with coach Silvinjo. This block is very important. I think the changes should be gradual. There is little time for big changes that can be dangerous. I do not want to nominate specific names, but let's take captain Berat Gjimshiti as an example, who has many matches with the national team. It is a block that can certainly have changes and the changes should be in function of improving the team.
