[Int. Friendly] Spain vs. Albania - 26/03/2022 - 19:45

[CanaYouDoIt]

De Biasi drew France on the road and beat them at home in friendlies to propel Albania into top 25.

Time to see if Reja can replicate that success here at Spain.

Friendlies don't count

[Dallku]

The irony is that Albania beat France with a midfield of Kace and Migjen Basha. That's the softest, most lightweight midfield ever but they were comfortable on the ball which was the difference maker.

In Gjasula's position the most important things are:

1) Touch. Especially first touch. That's crucial because you're surrounded by attackers. One heavy touch or a loose ball and they are through on goal.
2) Decision making.
3) Passing.
4) Defense.

Gjasula might win a header and tackle here and there but he absolutely blows at the top 3 requirements.

[CanaYouDoIt]

Plus he is 32 so since we're focused on the next Euros he wont be around

[Princ]

Friendlies don't count

Of course they count, but have a lower coefficient in the ranking criteria than qualifying matches.

Basha and Lila were the defensive midfielders when we beat France. Both tall and good defensively..

[Princ]

While Uzuini misses alot he atleast provides other aspects of the game such as pressing, tracking back, etc, that we need. Andi Lila was much worst offensively than Uzuini but found a niche as he was a workhorse defensively. Offensively, Uzuini can provide pace and width that our other attackers like Cika or Manaj can't provide so he's still a better threat offensively even if his finishing is poor.

As for Gjasula he is decent but Asllani is the better option. Now you can make the case for Gjasula over Laci and slip Asllani more forward which can work. My concern with Gjasula is while he's a good destroyer sometimes his passing and handling of the ball is really poor which is really needed from that holding midfielder. Asllani seems like he's so much better in that regards.

Uzuni belongs behind goal collecting loose balls.

Sucks offensively, even worse defensively. Lila was a monster on D..

[CanaYouDoIt]

Friendlies don't count

Of course they count, but have a lower coefficient in the ranking criteria than qualifying matches.

Basha and Lila were the defensive midfielders when we beat France. Both tall and good defensively..

I can guarantee you no one cares about friendlies like that. It gives zero indication of any sort of success

[Dallku]

Odds on a Spain win are damn near -900 now. 3 goal difference..

Oddsmakers are treating Albania like a Malta or Moldova. Hopefully it's not a blowout like they indicate. Albania has the talent to be a competitive team. Just needs to learn how.

[artan]

It's a friendly so I doubt the Spanish team will be treating this any thing more than that while our guys might be playing like it's a final so they can brag how they drew Spain. This might be a close and boring game with not much going on.

Seems like Balliu, Broja and Asllani are in the lineup. Seeing how Asllani and Balliu can help the team should be the most important thing.

Sucks that they called up some useless call ups in prenga, hoxhallari, Ramadani and Doka who at this point we can assume are just amateurs. I know the pool is thin but these guys aren't it.

[Plako]

Odds on a Spain win are damn near -900 now. 3 goal difference..

Oddsmakers are treating Albania like a Malta or Moldova. Hopefully it's not a blowout like they indicate. Albania has the talent to be a competitive team. Just needs to learn how.

This will be a slaughter with at least 5 goals.

[ZenMaster]

.

Also scrap the 3-5-2, it doesn't work.

No matter who will be next coach with central defenders we have it will be impossible for us to play with back four. Djimsiti is clearly more versatile than Kumbulla but still in two matches Gasperini played this season with 4-2-3-1 he was benched for a reason. Roma was using 4-2-3-1 also when they got massacred by Bodo Glimt and Kumbulla had worst game of his career. Until they start playing in such system at their clubs, defence with two central defenders will remain pipedream for us.