The selector of Albania, Edoardo Reja, has requested the maximum from the footballers to start the third edition of the League of Nations. On Monday, Albania will travel to Iceland in the first match of the second group of League B of the League of Nations. The match starts at 20:45.
At the press conference, Reja said that Albania is on the rise. But he emphasized that the Reds and Blacks are not favorites in the match against Iceland.
"Iceland is a strong team, despite the developments, it is a physically very strong team. There is a major fight in the air and we must be careful in every detail. We will try our best, but there are no favorites. We have to do our best on the playing field", said Reja at the media conference.
Albania had to play the match against Russia on June 2. But Russia was excluded because of the invasion of Ukraine. On June 2, Iceland played 2:2 on the road with Israel.
Reja emphasized that Iceland has changed the way they play.
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"We have to give our best on the pitch to get a good result. It is very important that we finalize all the opportunities we create. This team no longer plays with long balls, but the boys keep the ball, play and do not give up easily. We will try to do our best. I say once again that there is no favorite, but we will do our best", said Reja.
Reja did not comment on the absences that Albania will have in the match against Iceland. He said that Albania has created a team with 24 players.
"I have tried to make a group of 24 or 25 players to be at a high level and we have succeeded. I can say that the absence of these players is felt, but we have a good group that replaces them. We don't have Uzun, we don't have Bar, but we have Abrash, Asllan, Bajram and I believe that we have a good group that will not make us feel the absence of these players", said Reja.
Along with Reja, captain Etrit Berisha also appeared at the conference. Goalkeeper Berisha is optimistic that Albania can win the match in Reykjavik.
"We had enough time to prepare for this match and I believe we are ready to play a nice match. We have shown good football in the past matches as well, including the friendly against Spain. Even tomorrow we have to play a smart match, as the opponent is physically good. However, we will go into the match to win and hope for European qualification. Surely here at home Iceland is always dangerous. Even in the last game in Israel he was winning, as he has quality. However, we will see our way, as we are prepared and have the right quality to win", said Berisha.
Berisha said that Albania is a candidate to win the group.
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"I think that even with Russia we were candidates to win the group. Now it's the same and we have to not only win the group, but also to secure European qualification. Everything else will be a failure, as we have all the possibilities to play another European one", said Berisha.
Albania will play the second match on June 10 against Israel in Tirana.
