The former coach of the Albanian National Team, Edy Reja, has spoken before the Reds and Blacks face Italy in the first group match at Euro 2024. Reja has advised the coach of the Blues, Luciano Spalletti, while praising Sylvinho’s team. He also added that the Brazilian coach has almost found the national team.
When Italy and Albania play, there is no way not to mention the common things and those that connect the two countries. One of them is coach Reja. The Italian in the past led the red and black national team and before the match between the two countries, he spoke extensively and at length in an interview with the Italian media.
“He is good, he did a great job and achieved success, deserving qualification ahead of top-level teams like the Czech Republic and Poland. He found the foundations on which he could build a group that to a large extent still belongs to me”, Reja initially said to Corriero dello Sport.
“All of them are my players, except for Hoxha, the winger of Dinamo Zagreb. Ramadani, Asllani, Gjimshiti, Mitaj. I convinced Bajram to come with Albania. Broja was young, Manaj is another child of mine. My staff also did a good job and I am happy for Duke, a great manager who has been a member of the UEFA Executive for several years. A loving relationship binds us. He loved me in Dortmund, I can’t lose him”.
Will he support Albania?
“I am Italian, I have the Azzurri in my heart, but I have love and sympathy for the Albanians, I would like them to make a good impression. I will support Italy. I know Spalletti, I have always considered him a top level coach. There is friendship. I enjoyed watching his Napoli. He needs to work hard with Italy and develop some young players. Others like Di Lorenzo, Cristante and Dimarco already have a certain value.”
What should we expect?
“Albania should not be underestimated, it has grown a lot compared to 2016, a strong team, strong from a characteristic point of view. It will be hard to beat them. Spalletti must watch Bajram between the lines, I don’t know if he will mark Cristante or Jorginho. Eight players are protected. They allow some space and resume well. Sides Asani, Hoxha or Seferi, in front of Broja. All very quickly. Others, like Hysaj and Ismajli, have been playing in Serie A for many years. They know our philosophy, our way of playing. You have to be careful. With Spain and Croatia, it is a complicated group for Italy as well, but Albania has some chances and this is already a decisive match”.
Further, Reja added that the Blues will also be against the environment in Germany, as many Albanians will travel to support the national team.
“Correct. At least 15-20 thousand Albanians will arrive at the Dortmund stadium from all over Europe, not only from Germany. Unbridled enthusiasm. A very hearty match. They feel like a branch of Italy. They have always had deep gratitude towards us. Now the diplomatic relations between the two governments have increased”.
The main risk?
“The counterattack. If you give Albanians space, they will hit you. Broja seems to have come with the right head, it is unique but strong. He and Manaj can make the difference in speed. They have temperament, character, they don’t give up. It is now a decisive match. Sylvinho added creativity and technique, I spoke to him a lot when he arrived. Then he started his work. Let’s say I found the grace and he found the table set. It also happened with Napoli, Lazio and Atalanta when I left. My luck, but I’m satisfied with my career and I don’t complain about it”, concluded the former coach of Albania. /Football Match Up/
