The change in the bench has given Elbasan a new face in some aspects, but a significant problem continues to accompany the team. With Glen Daja in charge, the yellow-blue team has started three of the matches played at a disadvantage, being forced to follow the result from the first moments. A tendency that has not yet been resolved and which became even more evident in the last match with Vllaznia.
THREE MATCHES, SAME SCENARIO
In Daja's first three challenges, not including the 0-0 draw with Teuta, Elbasan has found itself at a disadvantage. First it happened against Partizan and then against Laç. In both cases, the team showed character, reacted after the goal conceded and managed to overturn the result, taking the three points. However, this reaction cannot cover up a recurring problem. Against Vllaznia, Elbasan found itself in the same situation again, but this time it failed to find the strength to turn the match in its favor. Shkodran took advantage, while the yellow-blue team left without a point. Thus, what in the previous two matches was covered by the overturns, appeared with all the consequences in the last challenge.
A PROBLEM THAT NEEDS A SOLUTION
Conceding the first goal is not just a statistic, but a situation that directly affects the way the match unfolds. Elbasan is forced to change plans, take more risks and seek the equalizer at all costs. This brings even more space for the opponent and makes it difficult to manage the game. This is where Glen Daja must intervene. The coach has a rest period available to work with the team and find a way to avoid this scenario. The defeats against Partizan and Laç proved that the group has character and does not give up easily, but it cannot always be the solution for Elbasan to recover a disadvantage. A team that aims to be competitive must also learn to start the match with control, concentration and confidence.
THE OPPOSITE OF GVOZDENOVIC
Interestingly, this problem was not the same during Ivan Gvozdenovic's time. At that time, Elbasan had another concern: they managed to score first, but then did not maintain the advantage and allowed their opponents to come back into the game. So, the yellow-blues have changed the way they deal with the result, but they have not necessarily gained the necessary consistency. With Gvozdenovic, the challenge was to manage the lead; with Daja, so far, the challenge is not to start the game chasing the opponent.
A contrast that shows that the new coach still has work to do to stabilize the team. The break in the championship comes at a convenient moment for Dajë. He will have the opportunity to analyze the first matches, work on the mistakes that are being repeated and demand more attention from the first minutes. The objective is not only for Elbasan to continue to react when conceding a goal, but also not to regularly put himself in this position.
