by Redijupison » Mon Oct 13, 2025 1:42 pm
artan wrote: Sun Oct 12, 2025 9:16 pm
Redijupison wrote: Sun Oct 12, 2025 7:50 pm
Aurora Bulkualis wrote: Sun Oct 12, 2025 6:18 pm
I mentioned this a while back, but I said the diff between Albania and Kosovo is the Albanian amateurs have always had some big moment. Salihi vs. Norway, Balaj vs. Portugal, Asani vs Czech Poland, and now Manaj.
I dont expect a Manaj renaissance, but the more of these upsets we collect, the stronger will we become mentally. We had a 1 in 6 chance of winning here according to bookies + the added nationalist angle pressure.
Dude, Manaj is far from an amateur. The main difference between the two teams is the play style. Albania plays defensive and counter-attacking football and it's the smart way for any team that wants to have a chance against stronger opponents.
Kosova with their 433 and attacking play style can easily beat C & D level teams, but struggle against the better teams. Ironically Kosova's biggest results have come while playing defensive and counter-attacking football against Czechia & Sweden.
Manaj has redeemed himself with that goal and a good second half performance before the subbing out but he's generally been poor for Albania. Generally, his hold up play is below average at best because he doesn't have the size or strength but has some aggression which makes him okay at times in that aspect But he has no pace & technical ability, he doesn't defend, poor stamina, and he's a below average goal poacher since he doesn't have the size or athleticism to be an aerial threat. He's a goal poacher but yet he'll need 3 good chances before he puts one away which means he's actually not a goal poacher and if he's not a goal poacher than what is he?
He plays well in leagues like Turkey as the pace is probably fast and in general lots of chances are created due to errors and lack of overall league quality. In international play against professional teams he doesn't get those chances. It's why he's only scored against teams like Kazakhstan, San Marino and Moldova before yesterday. But that being said this is generally a problem most Albanian forwards face so it is what it is. The only exception is Broja who obviously has talent but is not serious about football.
Still though with all his weaknesses, Manaj is a level above strikers like Daku and Cikalleshi and your typical Italian forward that plays for relegation Serie A clubs. He's only 28 you and will probably soon become Albania's all time goal scorer.
I liked the trio of Uzuni, Manaj and Broja(at times very lazy) in attack and I would like to see them start in the coming games too. They're physically strong, are not easily bullied and I think that's why the midfield managed to keep possession and not concede to much pressure last game.
[quote=artan post_id=47669 time=1760296563 user_id=60]
[quote=Redijupison post_id=47666 time=1760291405]
[quote="Aurora Bulkualis" post_id=47665 time=1760285935 user_id=52]
I mentioned this a while back, but I said the diff between Albania and Kosovo is the Albanian amateurs have always had some big moment. Salihi vs. Norway, Balaj vs. Portugal, Asani vs Czech Poland, and now Manaj.
I dont expect a Manaj renaissance, but the more of these upsets we collect, the stronger will we become mentally. We had a 1 in 6 chance of winning here according to bookies + the added nationalist angle pressure.
[/quote]
Dude, Manaj is far from an amateur. The main difference between the two teams is the play style. Albania plays defensive and counter-attacking football and it's the smart way for any team that wants to have a chance against stronger opponents.
Kosova with their 433 and attacking play style can easily beat C & D level teams, but struggle against the better teams. Ironically Kosova's biggest results have come while playing defensive and counter-attacking football against Czechia & Sweden.
[/quote]
Manaj has redeemed himself with that goal and a good second half performance before the subbing out but he's generally been poor for Albania. Generally, his hold up play is below average at best because he doesn't have the size or strength but has some aggression which makes him okay at times in that aspect But he has no pace & technical ability, he doesn't defend, poor stamina, and he's a below average goal poacher since he doesn't have the size or athleticism to be an aerial threat. He's a goal poacher but yet he'll need 3 good chances before he puts one away which means he's actually not a goal poacher and if he's not a goal poacher than what is he?
He plays well in leagues like Turkey as the pace is probably fast and in general lots of chances are created due to errors and lack of overall league quality. In international play against professional teams he doesn't get those chances. It's why he's only scored against teams like Kazakhstan, San Marino and Moldova before yesterday. But that being said this is generally a problem most Albanian forwards face so it is what it is. The only exception is Broja who obviously has talent but is not serious about football.
[/quote]
Still though with all his weaknesses, Manaj is a level above strikers like Daku and Cikalleshi and your typical Italian forward that plays for relegation Serie A clubs. He's only 28 you and will probably soon become Albania's all time goal scorer.
I liked the trio of Uzuni, Manaj and Broja(at times very lazy) in attack and I would like to see them start in the coming games too. They're physically strong, are not easily bullied and I think that's why the midfield managed to keep possession and not concede to much pressure last game.