Kosovo's football coach, Franco Foda, has acknowledged Slovakia's quality, but said they will do everything possible to secure the playoff final for qualification for this year's World Cup.
Slovakia and Kosovo meet on Thursday at 20:45 in Bratislava, in the playoff semi-finals. Kosovo has reached this stage for the first time, and now it is aiming for history. An eventual qualification to the World Cup, but also to the playoff final, would be an extraordinary success for Kosovo.
Kosovo began the gathering on Monday, and at noon Foda gave a press conference.
"We are aware that it will not be an easy match. We know that Slovakia has a very good team. When they have the ball, they know how to play very well. We have a lot of confidence in the team. We have shown our quality, we have proven that even as a guest we can play very well and win matches. In the next three days we will prepare intensively. We want the final at home and we will do everything to win in Bratislava against Slovakia", emphasized the German coach.
He added that the players are physically prepared, coming from the phase of matches with their teams, and consequently the entire focus until Thursday will be on the tactical aspect.
Kosovo is missing important players such as captain Amir Rrahmani, midfield leader Leon Avdullahu, but also Muharrem Jashari and Leart Paqarada.
But Foda is not worried.
"Of course, the absences of Rrahman and Avdullah are important. Rrahman is the captain of the team and very important for his personality. Avdullah is also a great strategist as a midfielder. We will miss them a lot. But we have done our calculations and I believe that we will find the right choices. But so far we have replaced very important players. We have always shown that the players who have won the opportunity have deserved it, have justified the trust," said Foda.
Regarding Avdullah, Foda said that they have numerous options for midfield such as Vesel Demaku, Elvis Rexhbeçaj, Florent Muslija, Veldin Hoxha, Lindon Emërllahu, Valon Berisha.
Asked about Bujar Plana, who joined Albania, Foda said that they have followed him closely, but that they have decided on other players. He says that each selected player has contributed to Kosovo being at this point and each one is important. He respected Planna's choice, adding that each Kosovo player must play with heart and make their own decision.
Foda has played in big events with Austria, but Kosovo is looking for the first qualification. He knows that everyone is looking for history.
"When we were in the groups, we saw that they were very difficult. It was a dream to get through the group stage. The goal was to at least reach the playoffs. Now we are in the playoffs and we can write history. Kosovo has not yet qualified for the World Cup or the European Championship. We have two more matches. We must take into account that Slovakia has defeated Germany at home. So there is quality. We have two matches and we will represent Kosovo with dignity. The players are very motivated. The fighting spirit is prevailing. We know that the opposing team also has quality. "The details will decide. Everything will be decided on Thursday."
For Foda, what is important is that the team wins, not its status in the event of qualification. He believes that the team has continuously developed since he has been leading Kosovo.
"We have this momentary euphoria. And the important thing is that we are united from the first minute. We have to do everything to win the match, for 90 minutes, 120 minutes or on penalties," says the Kosovo coach.
He has a clear plan for how the team will play in Bratislava.
Regarding Edo Zhegrova, he said that he did not have an easy period at Juventus, but added that he is a very important player for Kosovo.
Foda mentioned the story twice, while adding that they will try to transform the great pressure into positive energy.
"We have shown that in these situations we know how to behave well. It is a good opportunity that does not come often. Everyone is very motivated, but we should not be overmotivated. We must have a calm, cool head. Regardless of what happens on the field, the players must follow the plan. We have a good chance of winning, we will do everything",
For Foda, the support of the spectators is very important. He said that the fans provide extra energy and are important especially when things are not going well. He especially appreciates the support in away matches, which thanks to the fans "have felt like home matches."
The Dardanelles coach says they will be prepared for eventual penalties. The experienced coach already knows who would take them, and he said that penalties in training and in a game are very different.
Kosovo contacts Bayern's supertalent
The Kosovo national football team's managers have already initiated contacts for Bayern's 16-year-old supertalent, Erblin Osmani.
The midfielder made his Bundesliga debut at the weekend. He currently plays for Germany's youth team.
"Yes, director Muharrem Sahiti has already had contact with Erblin Osmani's family," said the manager of the Kosovo representative, Bajram Shala, at a press conference on Monday.
Osmani has played for Germany's U16s and is currently in the U17 age group. But the fact that he made his Bayern debut at the age of 16 proves that he is a very big talent.
Manager Shala added in the conference that Leard Sadriu has been invited to Kosovo, as the 25th player. Sadriu is a 24-year-old defender and plays for Arges in Romania.
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Foda knows who will take the eventual penalties.
"We are prepared for all scenarios. Of course, penalties too. We have analyzed the opponent very well and we are prepared for all scenarios. But penalties in training and in matches are something different. We can practice 1000 penalty kicks, but in a match it is something else. But we have a clear idea of who would take the penalties, so we are well prepared for them too."
Foda talks about Zhegrova
"We have a clear plan and idea of what the team will look like. In recent weeks, we have been intensely following Slovakia's game, together with the coaching team.
"We know that Zhegrova has not had an easy time, but we know that he is a very important player for us, with the qualities he has. I can't tell you who will start and who will have how many minutes," said coach Franco Foda.
Foda: Let's turn pressure into positive energy
"Many factors are important before the match with Slovakia. One side is the tactical aspect, but also the mental state of the players.
We know what awaits us. We have the opportunity to write history. The pressure is high, but we will try to turn this into positive energy.
We have shown that we know how to behave well in these situations.
It's a good opportunity, these situations don't come up often.
Everyone is motivated, but we shouldn't be over-motivated. We need to keep our heads calm.
"The players must follow the plan," said Foda.
Foda talks about viewer support
"We have great respect for the fans of Kosovo, for the Dardans. We are extremely grateful and thankful that we have had supporters in all the matches, especially those as guests. The support we had is incredible. The audience gives extra energy. In good phases, the players play well. But in difficult phases we need the support of the audience. We expect many fans from Kosovo, but also from other countries. Their support gives us the feeling of being at home."
VIDEO: Press conference
Foda: It is important to be united
"For me it's important that the team wins. This team has been constantly developing since I've been here.
"We have this momentary euphoria. And the important thing is that from the first minute we are united. We have to do everything to win the match, for 90 minutes, 120 minutes or on penalties," said Franco Foda, coach of the Kosovo National Team.
VIDEO: Press conference
Foda before the match with Slovakia: We can write history
"Of course I have experienced the matches with the Austrian National Team. When we entered the groups we saw that they were very difficult. It was a dream to get through the group stage. The goal was to at least reach the playoffs. Now we are in the playoffs and we can write history.
We have two games left. We have to keep in mind that Slovakia beat Germany at home. So they have quality.
We have two matches and we will represent Kosovo worthily.
The players are very motivated. The fighting spirit is prevailing.
"The details will decide. Everything will be decided on Thursday," coach Franco Foda said at a press conference.
VIDEO: Press conference
Foda talks about Avdullah's replacements
"Demaku is at a good level and is a player who has had some very good matches. We also have other players to cover Avdullah's absence. They are Rexhbeçaj, Muslija, Hoxha, Emërllahu.
"We will carefully decide on the best solutions for the team," said Kosovo National Team coach Franco Foda.
VIDEO: Press conference
Foda talks about Bujar Planna, says he decided on other players
"We have followed the player in question. And my assistants have followed him closely. We have decided on the group of players we have. Everyone in this team has contributed to getting where we are, overcoming challenges together and everyone is important.
For Planna, if he decides about Albania, it is his decision.
"Every player who plays for Kosovo plays with heart and it should be his decision," said the coach of the Kosovo National Team, Franco Foda.
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Kosovo has shown interest in Bayern's super talent
Erblin Osmani
Kosovo manager, Bajram Shala, has indicated that he has already initiated contact with Bayern's supertalent, Erblin Osmani.
He made his Bundesliga debut at the age of 16.
"Muharrem Sahiti has already had contact with Erblin Osmani's family"
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Foda talks about the shortages
"Of course, the absence of Rrahman and Avdullah are important. Rrahman is the captain of the team and very important for the personality. Also Avdullahu is a very great strategist. We will miss them a lot. But we have done our calculations and I believe we will find the right choices. But so far we have replaced very important players.
"We have always shown that the players who have won the opportunity have deserved the place, have justified the trust," said coach Franco Foda at a press conference.
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Foda: Focus on the tactical side
"From a physical point of view, there will be no need to train the players as they will come prepared from their teams. The main emphasis will be on the tactical aspect. We will work to implement our views on the field. We will work on the solutions we will have against a team like Slovakia."
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Coach Franco Foda: We want to play the playoff final at home
"We have no concerns regarding the match with Slovakia. We are aware that it will not be an easy match. We know that Slovakia has a very good team. When they have the ball, they know how to play very well. We have a lot of confidence in the team. We have shown our quality, we have proven that even as a guest we can play very well and win matches.
"In the next three days we will prepare very well. We want the final at home and we will do everything to win in Bratislava against Slovakia."
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