With memories of the golden years (80's) of the albanian football still fresh on her mind, Albania is now attempting to recreate its strong football legacy. As young players start making their names abroad, the future is looking bright for Albanian football!
Dallku wrote: Mon Nov 16, 2020 1:57 am
This is a problem because it shows that Albania lacks half decent attacking midfielders. When someone like Memushaj can just go in there and stand out it's a big problem.
The problem is not Memushaj doing well. The problem is lack of energy. Abrashi and Memushaj are doing well because they're energetic. That's all you need against these teams, even if you're a benchwarmer. Here everyone is walking across the pitch.
The problem with Albania is they're motivated against teams like France (and still lose), and they walk around against Moldovas, etc... Ever since Cana left, there is no fire in these guys anymore.
artan wrote: Mon Nov 16, 2020 3:15 am
Comparing Kallaku to Gjausla is apples and oranges. Gjasula is a destroyer and pretty much the only one we have on the team. He's been a relatively good player for the NT since he joined and provides defensive coverage against bigger teams. Before his addition to NT we were missing a player like him. I do think Kallaku has some talent and I think he's more suited for a faster style of play. I think the midfield trio of Abrashi, Gjasula and Bare will be it going forward. I think Selahi might be someone who can take a starting spot he seems to have some talent.
As for Memushaj matches like these are perfect for him because he still has decent technical skills but his legs are shot. Kazakhstan isn't threatening with the ball nor do they play face paced. He simply won't get exposed defensively. But against any decent team he can't be relied upon anymore. Thank you for your service.
But anyways if we want to be realistic about qualifying the team needs to find balance. Better width, better counter attacking play and we can't have two forwards who are both hold up forwards who can't score.
I think this is the lineup when everyone is available. Maybe Cika in for Broja as much as I dislike him because of his physical presence. Maybe we can snag a player or two.
That lineup can't create man... Whether people like it or not Kallaku pushes the game forward. It's not a coincidence the first time Reja starts him at home we win. Even away at Kazakhstan we could have won if people took their chances.
People blame it on Kazakhstan but Lithuania was a WAYYY worse team and we were fucked with that formation.
"Cheap things you can buy in bulk, but Bulku is priceless" Ervin Xhevahir Bulku
I don't even hate Gjasula, it's just I think he's good as a sub to just calm game down and maintain lead. As a starter he offers little.
If you want to drive the game forward to create more chances you need more creative midfielders. Kallaku's #1 problem is he's lethargic, but the talent is no doubt there.
If you're Kallaku you can't afford to have 34 year old serie b benchwarmer Memushaj completely outshine you.
This is a problem because it shows that Albania lacks half decent attacking midfielders. When someone like Memushaj can just go in there and stand out it's a big problem.
The problem is not Memushaj doing well. The problem is lack of energy. Abrashi and Memushaj are doing well because they're energetic. That's all you need against these teams, even if you're a benchwarmer. Here everyone is walking across the pitch.
The problem with Albania is they're motivated against teams like France (and still lose), and they walk around against Moldovas, etc... Ever since Cana left, there is no fire in these guys anymore.
I think it's the opposite. We've only beaten two decent teams since like 2018 (Iceland and Israel). We all know if we want to qualify we're gonna have to get results against good teams like we did in 2016 qualification.
I think this team is struggling to find it's identity. We had a very defensive, pressing and quicker counter style under Di Biasi which utilized aggressive players well. We never had much talent but as a whole the team was able to compete. We'd literally play with like 6 fullbacks in the lineup lol. This current team is trying to adopt to an Italian system in which is very hard to do as its very tactical and disciplined.
artan wrote: Mon Nov 16, 2020 3:43 amI think it's the opposite. We've only beaten two decent teams since like 2018 (Iceland and Israel). We all know if we want to qualify we're gonna have to get results against good teams like we did in 2016 qualification.
I think this team is struggling to find it's identity. We had a very defensive, pressing and quicker counter style under Di Biasi which utilized aggressive players well. We never had much talent but as a whole the team was able to compete. We'd literally play with like 6 fullbacks in the lineup lol. This current team is trying to adopt to an Italian system in which is very hard to do as its very tactical and disciplined.
Those are wins that had little chance of impacting qualification. Iceland was essentially a hail mary. The issue is these guys thought they were too good for Lithuania or something and decided to phone it in.
Italy and Germany can phone it in against Belarus, Moldova, etc... We can't. Abrashi ain't some amazing technical player. He's just energetic.
"Cheap things you can buy in bulk, but Bulku is priceless" Ervin Xhevahir Bulku
CanaYouDoIt wrote: Sun Nov 15, 2020 8:42 pm
I thought Kallaku played well , some bad touches but that was down to the terrible pitch . As soon as he came off the progressive passes stopped , he's like Fernandes at United in the sense that he will lose the ball but he will also keep trying those forward balls that instantly stopped as soon as that idiot with the helmet came on.
Last time Kallaku played well was against Austria U21 and against Kazakstan he was absolutely terrible. I am aware that he needs time to settle in Croatia but he since joined Lokomotiva Kallaku has been mediocre so you guys should put brakes because he is competing for "Flop of the year". Eduart Rroca deserved invitation more than Sherif.
ZenMaster wrote: Mon Nov 16, 2020 8:01 pm
Aainst Austria U21 and against Kazakstan he was absolutely terrible. I am aware that he needs time to settle in Croatia but he since joined Lokomotiva Kallaku has been mediocre so you guys should put brakes because he is competing for "Flop of the year". Eduart Rroca deserved invitation more than Sherif.
He literally just gave an assist against DZ last week who could be a bottom/mid table Serie A team.
Look at our stats vs. Kazakhstan (who is the strongest team on paper)
Home - 18 shots (11 on target)
Away - 14 shots (6 on target)
Look at our stats vs. Lithuania
Home - 9 shots (1 target)
Away - 14 shots (4 target)
You can whine and bitch all you want, but with Kallaku on the field we haven't lost a single game and got 4/6 points vs. Kazakhstan. We gave Lithuania their first win in 4 years when he was off the field.
"Cheap things you can buy in bulk, but Bulku is priceless" Ervin Xhevahir Bulku
Big news for Arben Dervishi and his construction company. Next year they will "invest" again, match fixing business has degraded from Europa League groups to the level of the Second League of Kosovo. Probably the Italians or the communists are to blame for the misplanning. God bless Don Duka! His ass smells better than flowers.
I don't think the Lokomotiv argument against Kallaku is fair. Lokomotiv lost half their squad from last year (which was very good) and didn't adequately replace them. All the Albanians on that team (Cokaj, Tuci and Mersinaj) seem to have taken a step back this year too after performing very well last year.
But that being said I'm not gonna try to act like Kallaku is supposed to be a stud. I won't write him off because I see some talent in him and overall he's been okay. I would like to see him and Lokomotiv perform a little better before we can start taking him serious as a starter.
And when I read about the Air Albania turf needing new renovations last week I thought it was corruption at it's finest.
Aurora Bulkualis wrote: Mon Nov 16, 2020 10:54 pm
but with Kallaku on the field we haven't lost a single game and got 4/6 points vs. Kazakhstan. We gave Lithuania their first win in 4 years when he was off the field.
That's a silly case to make for him. Albania would've gotten those results regardless if Kallaku played or not. What exactly did he do that's so influential to results? I don't remember a chance, a shot or a pass he created that helped the team. He has been a ghost in the minutes he played.
You could make a case like that for someone Roshi who DIRECTLY contributes to results but it's hard to remember if Kallaku is even on the pitch,
Dallku wrote: Mon Nov 16, 2020 11:07 pm
That's a silly case to make for him. Albania would've gotten those results regardless if Kallaku played or not. What exactly did he do that's so influential to results? I don't remember a chance, a shot or a pass he created that helped the team. He has been a ghost in the minutes he played.
Do you know what central mids do? Even Xavi that was one of the center mids of all time would get 1 assist every 5 games.
Our problem is that we get stuck in defensive/midfield third and can't transition to final third.
"Cheap things you can buy in bulk, but Bulku is priceless" Ervin Xhevahir Bulku
