After starting the fourth Nations League campaign with a 2:1 away win over Ukraine in September, the challenge for first place in Group B1 for Albania took a different direction.
The "Reds" suffered successive defeats, from Georgia and the Czech Republic. But the 1:0 victory in Tbilisi against Georgia, thanks to Kristjan Asllani's goal, last month, has opened the group again.
With six points, one less than the Czech Republic and two more than the last country Ukraine, Albania occupies third place in the group. Georgia also has six points in second place.
Thus, the fate of the "reds" will not be known until the end of this edition of the League of Nations, namely until Tuesday night. But a lot depends on the next game.
Albania hosts the Czech Republic on Saturday from 20:45, and three days later it plays against Ukraine.
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Both matches will take place at "Air Albania" in Tirana.
Selector Sylvinho and central defender Arlind Ajeti rely on the great support of the fans. The goal is clear, two wins and first place in the group.
"The Czech Republic is the team with which we have probably played the most in these years. We have won, drawn and lost with him, so anything can happen tomorrow. There is a physically strong team. We have said this for a long time. The Czech coach is very intelligent, he made 3-4 changes, it's a different team. We have to play well, we have technical quality and tactical organization. But we have to go to the field with a lot of heart and soul, this can make the difference", said Sylvinho at the press conference on Friday.
The Brazilian technician further added that Albania will face a very strong opponent, with whom it has faced four times since 2021.
The Czech Republic has two victories, Albania has one victory, while another match has ended in a draw.
Sylvinho has asked the players to play without mistakes, to achieve another success.
"We can make one of the best matches of the last year. This is not the time to complain. The players are in good physical condition. I said after the European Championship that it is a difficult period as the national teams have lost players due to injuries. Even the Czech Republic has injured players. The players haven't had a break to recover, but I'm happy and I have faith in the ones I have. We will enter to give our 100 percent", declared Sylvinho.
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Next to Sylvinho, on Friday at the conference was Arlind Ajeti, the 31-year-old central defender who plays for Bodrumspor in the Turkish Super League.
Ajeti is a footballer who has played in two European Championships and has the right experience for such matches.
"Everything is possible in football. I believe in the team, in the qualities of each player and normally we aim for the first place, to win the two games and take the first place. Of course, anything is possible", said Ayeti.
Ajeti has made eight appearances with the team in Turkey's football elite this season.
"Yes, normally we believe that we can do it again, even though it is another match. Every match starts from 0:0. We have qualities and quality to get positive result. We hope we will succeed", he emphasized.
All the representatives of Group B1 were participants in the European Championship that was organized in Germany in the summer.
Only Georgia managed to pass the group stage.
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Albania had a draw with Croatia, and two losses, to Italy and Spain. Finished last in the group of death, in her second European.
The "Reds" now aim to qualify for the World Championship that will be organized in the United States of America, Canada and Mexico in 2026. But first, the goal is the first place in the group and, consequently, the transition to League A of the League of Nations, which would be a historic success.
