Albanian National Team [General topic]

[Simboli i Diellit]

Slovenia looks like the easiest. Maybe Czechs since they don't seem in good form.

Although with Slovenia their strongest points are CF and GK, the two most crucial positions that can change a game in a split second.

Both Slovenia and Sweden are in Kosovo group. If Kosovo manages to snatch a draw or win today in Sweden then they're predicted to go to playoffs. I wouldn't want to face Kosovo.

[Redijupison]

Slovenia looks like the easiest. Maybe Czechs since they don't seem in good form.

Although with Slovenia their strongest points are CF and GK, the two most crucial positions that can change a game in a split second.

Both Slovenia and Sweden are in Kosovo group. If Kosovo manages to snatch a draw or win today in Sweden then they're predicted to go to playoffs. I wouldn't want to face Kosovo.

Probably the easiest way to get one or the other to the world cup

[Redijupison]

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.

[artan]

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.

Manaj is definitely not a level above them. They’re all the same level of strikers. Below average goal poachers who need to be gifted a goal. There’s some distinguishments among them like Daku being more physical than all of them but just being awful on the ball, manaj seems to be a bit better on the ball then all of them, etc.

The best striker on the roster is Broja but this dude has his own issues. this dude isn’t serious about being a professional.

Maybe Albania could poach one of those German strikers. But Manaj is not a viable long term option. 60+ appearances is enough for me

[Princ]

Broja used to love taking on defenders 1 v. 1..

He had plenty of space and opportunities to do so at Serbia but would just pass backwards..

It’s honestly sad to see..

[Dallku]

Broja used to love taking on defenders 1 v. 1..

He had plenty of space and opportunities to do so at Serbia but would just pass backwards..

It’s honestly sad to see..

^ This

He had many chances to take Pavlovic 1v1 and was hesitant to do it. Even when it looked like he had a step ahead of him he pulled back for some reason. Pavlovic looked terrified every time Broja had the ball but wasnt punished.

[artan]

There was that one play where Broja beat the defender and was open in the box but then cut back allowing the defender to get in front of him. Just a weird play that summarizes Broja. Full of talent but the IQ and end product not there.

I do give him the benefit of the doubt because he's clearly not a winger. The only thing he can do at the winger spot is take the ball and dribble for 30 yards then squash the final product. His positioning is bad he clearly doesn't know where to be offensively as a winger, the possession aspect is lacking, he doesn't have the legs to go up and down to track/mark the opposition and he's just a one trick pony. It's almost like playing with a man down.

[Princ]

I just hope it doesn’t turn into Ben Simmons..

Dude was All-NBA until he got knee then back surgery..

For the last few years, he’s been scared to even take a layup and now at age 29 is on his way out the league..

[Aurora Bulkualis]

Broja just needs to improve his end product. The speed and dribbling are still there.

[Skenderbeu9]

Broja was clearly scared to push it to the limit
He is afraid of another serious knee injury
U can feel it even from the screen
It's obviously a mental thing and if he doesn't address it soon he will be at best a Championship level striker
Nothing special 3 years ago we thought that with him Kumbulla and Aslani we had 3 future world class prodigies
Fast forward to 2025 only Aslani could be close to that status from the youngesters and Mitaj
Probably one of them will be also our new captain when Gym retires