[Road to EURO 2016- 04/09/2015] Denmark vs Albania

[EddieAFC]

Probably our worst played match in the quailfiers imo. Glad we avoided disaster and we didn't lose but we didn't score so Denmark has the tiebreaker. Still a point towards group and 3rd place table so cant complain too much.

Our passing was not great. Seemed like players were overhitting balls and had bad touches all night. which somewhat surprising because kukeli is usually composed on the ball, but not this match. Would have like to have seen Agolli more on the ball. Couldn't sustain any type of build up. someone said it before, it was like Albania of old. GDB played our most attacking lineup on paper. I wonder if he will change it up and maybe add kace for abrashi or play it more conservative.

[AlMadman]

I honestly think this is our greatest generation of players. This current team has the deepest player pool in our history. I mean we were missing two our best players today and we were able to replace them admirably. Most importantly these current players are more "professional"(even if I hate using that term) as they are more consistent.

I also think we tend to hype up our past players. But I really can't speak for teams pre-2004 if that's what you're referring to. Just don't think Skela or Lala were that great. Not sure Skela would even start on this team.

All of them are average at best. We do not have one decent player per position. In defence we got Hysaj, in mid. we've got Kace and maybe Xhaka, in attack, no one. All the rest of the players are average or below average. I just hope we do not make a mockery of ourselves if, and that's a big IF, we qualify.

[artan]

This is easily the best defensive line+goalkeeper we ever had. Although Agolli is shaky but in general we never had so much professionalism and options in the back-line.

Midfield and up we have downgraded.. lets not kid ourselves. That passing stat albo-eagle posted where Albania is one of the worst passing teams in Europe on par with San Marino says it all. The current midfielders are super awkward on the ball while the likes of Lala, Skela, etc were playing tiki taka at times. In striker position I think Cikalleshi is much inferior to the likes of Tare, Bogdani.

I think the defense+goalkeeper are the main reason for the current success and the midfield(although no technical ability) are hard workers who do the dirty work and help the defense. That's all they can do.. really.

Lets not forget that we played 2 less games than most of the teams on that list and had another half lost in the Serbia match.

But in general this high pressing/defensive system we play doesn't do technical players any favors. Once we win the ball back it's a quick counter attack and we try to play uptempo. It's something common with alot of high pressing teams. They don't try to play like United this year where they keep on passing it sideways. That's why I don't think Skela would start on this team as he doesn't have the physicality or aggressiveness to press in the midfield(similar situation to Meha).

I also think those teams(besides Lala) were missing those "warrior" players like Xhaka. Remembered those former teams being very weak physically and mentally.

[EddieAFC]

I also think those teams(besides Lala) were missing those "warrior" players like Xhaka. Remembered those former teams being very weak physically and mentally.

Xhaka is the perfect player for this system. I don't see Basel much, but is he this good for them?

[Aurora Bulkualis]

Well, Tare played for Lazio, Bogdani for Siena, Lala for Hannover, Hasi for Anderlecht. It's not like they were all village players with unprofessional mentality. I think the difference in mentality has to do with the "scrubs". Even our scrubs are born and raised somewhere else, while back then we had a lot of "te qifsha motren" mendjemadhe types, who didn't sacrifice for the team.

Also, apart from Germany and Spain, there's been a drastic decrease in quality of most top national teams. Quality wise I agree with LedZep. Better defensively, shittier in midfield and striker area. There is no way this team could score 3 past Germany like we did in the 90s. They can barely score against Malta.

[Plako]

While I agree with what a lot of posters are saying about our player pool, I still think they have amazing team spirit and they believe that they are on a mission to prove themselves to the rest of the world. I think the fact that we have a lot of players from Kosova is helping us tremendously by giving us a huge psychological boost and a better mentality than we've head for as long as I can remember.

These guys believe that they can do it and they are proving the naysayers wrong with each game they play. They have conceded only 3 goals in 7 matches (including the two vs France) and have been very effective defensively. Yeah I agree with Madman that in the second half they played terrible and couldn't string two passes together but in the end they didn't allow many chances to Denmark and we still had the best chance in the second half despite taking only one shot.

Talent is important but it's not everything. You can have all the talented player you want and you still won't get results if the team spirit is not there. All you gotta look is at Iceland winning away at Holland and Turkey tying Latvia at home.

Yeah these guys are not as talented as we'd like them to be and they do frustrate you when you watch them play at times but with their determination and will they are laying the foundation for the next generation to come by trying to qualify for the first time ever for a major tourney. They already are through to the playoffs and that is immense.

[Plako]

Also, apart from Germany and Spain, there's been a drastic decrease in quality of most top national teams. Quality wise I agree with LedZep. Better defensively, shittier in midfield and striker area. There is no way this team could score 3 past Germany like we did in the 90s. They can barely score against Malta.

While I agree that they might not score 3 against Germany they will also not concede 4 like that team did.

[artan]

Also, apart from Germany and Spain, there's been a drastic decrease in quality of most top national teams. Quality wise I agree with LedZep. Better defensively, shittier in midfield and striker area. There is no way this team could score 3 past Germany like we did in the 90s. They can barely score against Malta.

While I agree that they might not score 3 against Germany they will also not concede 4 like that team did.

Those teams in the past would have never beaten a team like France even if it was a friendly. Glorifying a loss against Germany?

Biggest win the team had before last Septembers Portugal match was probably the Greece 2004 match. I know they were coming off of the Euro triumph but were they really that good of a squad?

[Simboli i Diellit]

Can anyone upload the full match so i could add it on the blog side? Thanks

[Berti]

Very hard game to watch and obviously understand majority of analysis and comparisons from you all. My opinion is this is a pool of players who are so equal in quality that we shouldn't worry who's out or in, or who's in form and who's not. Their club form means nothing. The expansion of the scouting pool over the past years has brought something priceless and that's pride for the shirt and massive self belief. Before we had better quality imo but pathetic mentality and no public backing whatsoever and often even used for dodgy things. We finally have an identity. And overall is creating a sense of pride for all so this is reflecting on the players.