Albania in ‘high-level’ training at qualifier with France

TIRANA, Oct. 5 – Albania’s Croatian national football coach Josip Kuze will exploit the match with Group D leader France as an opportunity to try new players.
Following the loss with Luxemburg last month, Albania has no chances at all of securing a good place in the group and there have been continuous calls for Kuze to resign from the post. Kuze ends his contract with Albania after the last two qualifiers in the group, with France on Friday and Romania Oct. 11 in Tirana, Albania.
Missing six players who were punished with yellow or red cards in previous matches (Altin Lala, Erjon Bogdani, Ansi Agolli, Ervin Skela, Admir Teli and Debatik Curri), Kuze has called four newcomers: Agonit Sallaj, Arsen Sykaj, Sabien Lilaj, Odise Roshi.
Ervin Bulku is also injured and not sure if he will be part of the team.
“After Luxemburg’s loss players are not motivated other than playing with a great world team,” says Bashkim Tufa, a sport analyst. “Kuze will use it as a good, top-level training for the newcomers and in preparation for a new squad for next qualifiers.”
“We shall not go as inferiors or bow-headed in France. There is no pressure on us. We have nothing to lose,” says midfielder Elis Bakaj.
It is not clear yet if Kuze will still lead Albania in Nov. 15 when it plays a friendly in neighboring Macedonia. Kuze’s contract is over after the match with Romania.