Kosovo will have important absences in the last matches of the fourth edition of the League of Nations. On Friday, Kosovo plays a decisive match against Romania in Bucharest, while next week it hosts Lithuania.
Coach Franco Foda announced on Monday at the press conference that apart from Emir Sahit and Ermal Krasniqi, Leart Paqarada, Milot Rashica and Bersant Celina will also be absent due to injuries. Celina actually played 90 minutes in Sweden on Sunday. KOHA has learned that he is not unhappy with the treatment he has received so far.
The many absences have created a place in the representative team for other players. Zymer Bytyqi and Art Smakaj return to Kosovo, while Baton Zabërgja and Leard Sadriu have been invited for the first time.
"Unfortunately, we have some injuries. We do not have Leart Paqarada, Emir Sahit, Ermal Krasniqi, Milot Rashica and Bersant Celina available. With the coaching team, we have decided to invite two new players, Art Smakaj and Zymer Bytyq. Now, for the first time, we have Leard Sadriu and Baton Zabërgja available," said Foda at the press conference.
Sadriu and Smakaj were on the reserve list, published on Saturday. Meanwhile, Bytyqi was not even on the reserve list, but was invited in the meantime.
Foda has announced that the group of players in training on the green field will be complete on Tuesday.
Regarding the absences, the German coach said that they are important. It stopped more at Krasniqi and Rashica.
"Yes, of course important players are missing. Krasniqi has scored two goals, Rashica has her own qualities, especially with speed and experience. But now there is a chance for new players. We will find their replacements", added Foda.
Bytyqi has been invited due to the lack of wing forwards. According to Foda, Drilon Hazrollaj was also an option, but it has been decided for Bytyq. Vesel Demaku was not invited as his documentation was not completed. For Eliot Bujupin, it was decided to gather with Kosovo U19.
Foda said that he spoke with Rashica and that he cannot practice in the next few days, although he played on Sunday in Turkey. For Celina, he said that he has a slight concussion in the brain.
"Yesterday I talked with Rashica. He was in pain and therefore unable to play. In my opinion, he should not have played for Besiktas either. We also contacted Celina. He has a slight concussion and cannot play for the next few days. For this reason, we must be careful when selecting players", said Foda.
Two rounds before the end, Kosovo is second in group C2 of the League of Nations. Romania leads the group with 12 points, while Kosovo has nine. Cyprus is third with three points, while Lithuania remains without a point after four rounds.
Romania won 3:0 in Pristina and to pass it in the table, respectively to win the group, Kosovo needs the victory with more goal difference. On November 18, Kosovo hosts Lithuania, while Romania hosts Cyprus. Kosovo and Romania are expected to win, so the decisive match will be the one on Friday in Bucharest.
"First place is still within reach, but for that we have to win the game in Romania. In the last three games, we have shown good football. I am generally satisfied with the team, but not overly satisfied, as we should have scored more goals. We have to make some adjustments in the team because of the injuries. But we leave with confidence and very positive energy in Romania. We are ready and we want to win. The last matches will decide for the first position", continued the selector Foda.
He has warned offensive game in Bucharest as well. Foda said that Kosovo should play both at home and on the road. In the 3:0 defeat in Pristina by Romania, according to Foda, Kosovo also lacked luck by conceding goals at inopportune moments.
He is happy with the players he has available for central midfield and sees no problems in this department. This guild consists of Valon Berisha, Elvis Rexhbeçaj, Florent Muslija, Muharrem Jashari and Lindon Emërllahu.
"Romania has its qualities in the midfield, but Kosovo also has the qualities that we will use. It is important to play with a lot of confidence".
The Kosovo coach believes that the game system against Romania is not important. According to him, it is important that the Kosovo players have the ball, attack and defend together.
He estimates that the representative has developed and this is proven by the recent results. But Foda admits there is still plenty of room for improvement.
"We have to keep improving and we have to stay hungry for success. The last wins are very good, they give you a good feeling. But football does not belong to the past. Football belongs to the present. Now we have the match against Romania and we have to give our best to win. In Romania, we can only win if all the players give their best and exceed their limits", said Franco Foda.
