After the 2:1 victory over Ukraine in Prague, the Albanian national football team has suffered its first defeat in the fourth edition of the League of Nations.
On Tuesday night in "Air Albania", in front of the Reds and Blacks was Georgia. And the Georgians celebrated at the end after the victory with the result 1:0.
The B League Group 1 challenge was decided in the 71st minute. Giorgi Kochorashvili struck from distance correctly to beat Thomas Strakosha. He scored a super goal.
The match was mostly equal, but without good scoring opportunities for the red and blacks. There were several attempts from distance, but not too dangerous for the Georgia goal. Meanwhile, the guests were more concrete while they took risks several times, especially at the end of the meeting.
Sylvinho gave the chance from the start to the winger, Arbër Hoxha. He had some dangerous dribbles, but without making the difference. The rest of the team was the same as the one that appeared against Ukraine. But the performance was noticeably paler than the three nights before.
In the first round, Georgia won 4:1 against the Czech Republic. After appearing in the European Championship, Georgia has taken off in the Nations League and has proven to be on the rise. For Albania, it appeared very compact and tactically disciplined, not allowing almost any opening for Sylvinho's team.
The competition in the group, however, remains very open. The Reds have their next match on October 11 in Prague against the Czech Republic. They then play on the road against Georgia on October 14. So the next gathering will be decisive for Albania's result in this group.
Sylvinho: A draw would be a fair result
Albania's coach, Sylvinho, has estimated that against Georgia, the red and black team deserved a point.
Albania lost 1:0 at "Air Albania" on Tuesday night.
"A different match in terms of tactics. I give compliments to the coach and the opposing team. I think a draw would be the right result. Every time we had the ball we penetrated inside the lines. But the difference was made after they scored the goal. I think we played similarly.
We lost by one goal. I compliment the players, who played a good match. The players did their best, but that's how the game went. The best result would be a draw," said Sylvinho.
Plum: Sorry for the fans
Defender Marash Kumbulla has expressed regret for the fans after Albania's defeat by Georgia. Kumbulla expressed his happiness that he is playing for the team and for the National team after the injury that kept him out for a long time.
"The match was very difficult. Georgia is very strong on counter attacks. There are very strong strikers. Maybe we should have made more fouls. We have not done enough. But let's move on. We feel sorry for the fans, the atmosphere was very nice in the stadium. But we look forward to the next matches. Personally, I am very happy, as the period of one and a half years was not easy for me. I got minutes at the club, at Espanyol. Even at the National team, I got minutes and I'm happy. Not only with the result", said Kumbulla.
Ramadani: It wasn't our night
Midfielder Ylber Ramadani estimates that Albania did not have its night in the match against Georgia.
The Georgians won 1:0 against Albania in Tirana.
"Today was a very difficult match. They made us difficult with defensive compactness. There were five in defense and three in midfield. Hoxha dribbled past one, but immediately the other came.
Georgia is very strong, but we are also a strong team. Today we did not have the day, as we are at the same level. The Georgians have prepared the match very well to come to the goal with counterattacks. They took advantage of this and then we had difficulties to break them back", Ramadani said.
Mitaj: The Georgians used the opportunities better
Mario Mitaj believes that Georgia used the opportunities better and this made the difference in Tuesday's match in Tirana. Albania lost 1:0.
Albania did not have any accurate shots on goal.
"I believe that in general we played a good match. We ran a lot, we had two or three chances. But they made the most of the opportunities. I don't believe it was fatigue that made us lose the match.
We had spaces in the wings, we had to circulate the ball more. The Georgians had two chances, they used them better and won. Both we and the Georgians were tired. It is normal that we are a little tired, but not this decided the match", said the left defender of Albania, Mario Mitaj.
The Reds and Blacks are shocked, Georgia is in the lead
Georgia has taken the lead over Albania.
Giorgi Kochorashvili scored a super goal in the 71st minute for 1:0.
No goals in the first half in Albania - Georgia
No goals were scored in the first half of the match between Albania and Georgia.
The match was of a high level, but without concrete chances for a goal. Both national teams have appeared compact and not allowed to take too many risks.
Fiery atmosphere in "Air Albania", Hoxha risks
Albania is looking for the lead goal in the match against Georgia. In "Air Albania" the support for the red and black is great.
Arbër Hoxha tried in the 12th minute, but shot far from the goal. Albania is dominating in the first minutes of the match.
Albania publishes the official lineup
Albania's football coach, Sylvinho, has published the formation for the match against Georgia. Arbër Hoxha will start from the first minute.
The match will take place at the "Air Albania" stadium, from 20:45. The match belongs to the second round of Group 1 of League B of the Nations League.
Thomas Strakosha will be in goal. In the defensive department are Mario Mitaj, Marash Kumbulla, Ardian Ismajli and Elseid Hysaj. The midfield consists of Nedim Bajrami, Kristjan Asllani and Ylber Ramadani. Rey Manaj, Jasir Asani and Arbër Hoxha are in the attack.
Albania won the first match against Ukraine 2:1.