Albania started the Euro 2016 Tournament with a loss. Even this time the
loss against Switzerland was due to a mistake in the first minutes of
the game. However, the game they led even with a 10-player disadvantage
has made Albanians fans proud and has been appraised by various foreign
media.
Schar’s goal at the 5th minute was decisive, a header that came from a corner kick.
Albania fought back with several good chances, but Sadiku missed against Sommer.
Captain Cana was sent off with a handball, which gave him a red card.
Despite the 10-player disadvantage, Albania responded well during the second half by creating great occasions.
Sadiku and Gashi both missed against Switzerland’s goalkeeper, Sommer.
Coach De Biasi: “First-minute emotions beat us”
Coach of Albania, Gianni de Biasi, declared that first-minute emotions played against our team during this match. He praised the game of our team despite the 10-player disadvantage.
“We paid a high price for the emotions of the first minutes. We play better when we have nothing to lose. The most positive thing today was that we had two golden chances for scoring even with 10 players”, he said.
However, De Biasi says the team didn’t bring out its entire potential and quality.
Taulant Xhaka: “Let’s focus for France”
One of the best players for Albania’s debut in this Euro 2016 tournament was Taulant Xhaka, the energetic midfielder who said after the match that our team has to focus into beating France.
“We had pressure and emotions during the first 20 minutes and we suffered a goal due to one mistake. We can improve and not allow this to happen against France. Switzerland has a good team, but we showed to be strong enough. An Euro tournament has no small teams”, Xhaka said.
Taulant expressed his regret for missing some chances to score against Switzerland, and explained the harsh reaction after he was replaced:
“I was angry for being replaced, but that was the decision of the coach who wanted to play in offensive”, Xhaka said.
Granit Xhaka: “Albania played well. It is hard to play against your brother”
Granit Xhaka won the challenge against his brother, Taulant, with a goal scored at the 5th minute.
However, it was not easy to keep this result unchanged and take a victory home.
Xhaka said in an interview for Top Channel’s show “Le Rendez-Vous” that “it is very hard to play against your brother, but we gave our best for both our teams, showing professionalism”.
Granit encourages the red and black team to keep up with the good play and use these chances to qualify.
Granit, now playing with Arsenal, thanked the Albanian fans. “It looked like we were in Tirana”, he said.
Mavraj: “We are moral winners, with 10 players. No one must be blamed”
The Albanian team started its historic adventure in the Euro 2016 tournament with a minimal loss and maybe not deserved.
The defender of the national team, Mergim Mavraj, asked the media and the public to not blame the team or any player, because they led a was good game and Albania gave a great performance with just 10 players.
Mergim says the team suffered the psychological stress of first-minute emotions which created pressure. “Our response was great, however. We created good occasions with Sadiku and Gashi, playing like equals”, he said.
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