TIRANA, May 30 – Albania came from one goal behind to beat modest Qatar 3-1 in their third Euro 2016 warm-up game, but once again suffered defensive problems in the early minutes which could cost the national side too much in the Euro group stage. It all started badly for the national side as it conceded a goal in only two minutes from kick-off following a defensive blunder, but the national side showed character with defender Ajeti equalizing in twenty minutes, Nantes midfielder giving the lead and Swiss Super League forward Sadiku sealing the result with a beautiful long-range strike.
Albania’s Italian coach Gianni De Biasi described the early goal Albania conceded as a “stupid” goal.
“We have to work hard these days because it is these mistakes that make a difference in the Euros,” said De Biasi.
The Italian coach who has been dubbed a national hero following Albania’s first-ever participation in a major football competition such as France 2016, gave the captain’s armband to 21-year-old defender Elseid Hysaj, the Albanian international with the best performance last season who helped Napoli secure a second place in the Serie A by being a regular starter.
“Hysaj is a player who could play for Albania in the next ten years even though he has been with us since 2013. I believe it is fair to pay tribute to him for the extraordinary championship he had with Napoli,” said De Biasi.
The defender who grew up as a professional player in Italy is seen as decent successor to Lorik Cana, the 32-year-old defender who has captained Albania since 2010 and has hinted he could withdraw from the national side after France 2016.
Albania will play one last friendly with Euro-qualified Ukraine in what is considered as a key test ahead of the Euros debut on June 11.
The national side will play Euro qualified Ukraine in its fourth scheduled friendly as part of the Euro 2016 warm-up games on June 3 in Italy’s Bergamo in a friendly expected to attract huge numbers of fans considering hundreds of thousands of Albanian migrants in Italy and in neighbouring countries.
Last March, Albania lost 2-1 to Austria and beat modest Luxembourg 2-0 in the first two Euro 2016 warm-up friendlies, in two matches which showed Albania still has a lot to improve ahead of its historic European championship debut next June especially when it comes to defense, one of its strengths in the Euro qualifying campaign.
Albania will face hosts France, Switzerland and Romania in Group A of the Euro 2016 in a bid to make another surprise campaign after a historic qualification as an outsider.
