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By:
Faton Polisi
- April 2, 2026 21:08 am
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Vedat Muriqi returns to Mallorca after appearing with Kosovo in the 2026 World Cup qualifying playoff.
Other players have also returned to their respective clubs to continue working for the weekend's matches. But will they have the freshness to help their clubs?
At least two media outlets, "Bild" and "Ultima Hora", have written about this issue.
"Mallorca's top scorer with 18 goals in LaLiga so far this season, returns to the island after the disappointment of not realizing a dream. After the defeat to Turkey, Muriqi finished the match devastated, as could be seen in the television footage, although apparently without physical problems before returning to Palma," writes the Spanish media outlet "Ultima Hora" on Thursday.
Mallorca plays a tough match against Real Madrid on Saturday. But there are doubts about whether Muriqi is emotionally and physically ready to face the match against Real after Kosovo's defeat by Turkey. Muriqi completed both matches, against Slovakia in the semi-finals and the final against Turkey.
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"Considering everything mentioned, both the emotional aspect and the physical strain accumulated from 180 minutes played in two matches, and considering what awaits Mallorca, with each match now a must-win to stay in La Liga, the coach faces a dilemma. Should he choose his star striker in the starting lineup against Real Madrid, or look at other alternatives and be ready for the next two matches against Rayo Vallecano and Valencia - matches that, on paper, offer Mallorca a better chance of advancing? This, along with the tactical formation against Real, are the main questions surrounding the coach with just over 48 hours left before it starts," the Spanish media outlet further writes.
Similar to the "Ultima Hora" media outlet, the German newspaper "Bild" also wrote on Thursday.
"Bild" has published an article about three Fortuna Dusseldorf players. Part of this team is also Kosovo star Florent Muslija.
"After what was perhaps the most bitter moment of his career, Florent Muslija returns to the grim reality of the relegation battle. On Tuesday, the Fortuna Dusseldorf star failed to make history with Kosovo, as Turkey robbed the country of its first World Cup qualification in the match in Pristina. After scoring in the 4:3 victory over Slovakia, Muslija was filled with deep bitterness after the defeat in the final against Turkey," writes "Bild". "So the wizard will have to focus on planning his summer break instead of the World Cup tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. However, ahead of the break, Fortuna Dusseldorf badly need him in their bid to avoid relegation from the second Bundesliga. There, Muslija, with four goals and five assists, is the team's second-best scorer. Fortuna must therefore hope that the Freiburg loanee recovers quickly from the shock of the World Cup and is back to his best form by Saturday in Kaiserslautern."
Fortuna Dusseldorf coach Markus Anfang also spoke about the difficult emotional state on Thursday.
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"Muslija has experienced two completely different matches – a win and a loss. He played 90 minutes in both matches and gave a very good performance. Of course, disappointment is also involved. Adding to this the time he has played and the travel, we will see how quickly he can recover."
He said he would speak with Muslija on Friday.
"We will talk to him in detail tomorrow. On the one hand, he is a professional, but on the other hand, he is a person who also has to deal with disappointments. We will support him and see how we can help him develop even more," Anfang said.
Albian Hajdari is also doubtful to appear for Hoffenheim against Mainz.
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Centerback Hajdari injured his head in the match against Turkey. Hoffenheim also has striker Fisnik Asllani, who also played for Kosovo against Slovakia and Turkey.
Kosovo was without midfielder Leon Avdullahu due to injury. Avdullahu was injured shortly before Kosovo began preparations for the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-offs.
