The President of the Football Federation, Armand Duka, was with the National Team yesterday evening, conveying his message to the red and black players and staff, as the team continues preparations for the upcoming matches in the UEFA Nations League. President Duka emphasized dedication, teamwork and the importance of a good start to this training camp.
Speaking about the first challenge against Belarus and the National Team's objective for this group, President Duka emphasized that first place in the group requires maximum commitment from the first days.
"Personally, I have a kind of worry or preoccupation about this match, because at first glance everyone thinks that we are the favorites and we will win the group, but it can never come by itself. Victory only comes if you commit to the maximum, have the desire, commitment and maximum concentration. So from the first day we have to start seriously, to commit to training, to commit to every moment during this training camp. The training camp is long, four matches.
"Our objective is clear, we want to come out on top, but top doesn't come by itself. We want to start well with Belarus, but who doesn't want us to start well. All teams want to start well. Belarus thinks the same, Finland thinks the same, and they think they are favorites and we think so too. You become a favorite on the field, you win the match on the field with maximum commitment."
President Duka also focused on one of the values that has characterized the Albanian National Team over the years, highlighting team spirit and the importance of creating a positive atmosphere within the group.
"Our only strength, not today, in the entire history and in the DNA of the Albanian National Team, has not been the special individual qualities, there have not been high-level players, but it has been the team spirit, working together, being in a positive atmosphere. Positive energy also brings positive results, negative energy does not lead you anywhere. We have never lacked it in our entire history and we must continue this tradition.
"We have very experienced players here, I don't want to mention them by name because you know them, we also have young players. We need to make a fantastic combination, to really create that fantastic energy that football needs."
Finally, the President of the Albanian Football Association congratulated the players and staff for the training days and the challenges that await them, asking for maximum concentration, character and dedication to achieve the objective.
"With positive energy, maximum concentration, maximum commitment, character, and dedication, we can achieve first place. I wish you much success. I wish you to be as well as possible, happy and satisfied these days and to have a good time in training and to celebrate with Belarus so that we can travel together more than happy in the other matches," said President Duka.
