Albania have scored and Sylvinho will take it to Germany

Albania, led by former Barça player Sylvinho, is close to making history and qualifying for the European Championship for the second time after beating the Czech Republic today (3-0) and extending its advantage at the top of the group E on 4 points with two. remaining games to play. They scored Kristjan Asllani (9′), Inter Milan player, and Taulant Seferi (51′ and 73′), this was after the Czechs were left with ten after seeing Mojmir Chytil the second yellow (40′).

Albania leads with 13 points from 6 games, and now Poland follows, with 9, as it finished second after winning, without the injured. Robert Lewandowskiin the Faroe Islands (0-2) with goals from Sebastian Szymanski (4′) and Adam Buksa (65′).

For its part, the Czech Republic not only failed in its attempt to dislodge Albania from the lead but was relegated to third place with 8 points, although it had less games to play.

Debuted with a loss but got revenge in Poland

Sylvinho, former Corinto, Arsenal, Celta, Barcelona and Manchester City player, officially took over the reins of the Albanian national team in January along with Pablo Zabaleta and Doriva as assistants. They lost their first match in the qualifying phase for Euro 2024 against Lewandowski’s Poland (1-0).

But Albania subsequently beat Moldova (2-0) and the Faroe Islands (1-3), drew against the Czech Republic in Prague (1-1) and avenged Poland in September (2-0) before today’s disappointing The Czechs.

In November, the moment of truth

This Sunday, Albania will play a friendly match against Bulgaria before closing the qualifying phase in November by visiting Moldova and hosting the Faroe Islands, the last two in group E. Only a debacle would leave the them in the final stage in Germany.

Sylvinho is the man of fashion in Albania. His aggressive attacking style convinced even the most skeptical fans and pundits, who were divided after the president of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka, it was announced that the Brazilian would take over.

He came with doubts but now he is almost a hero

His little experience on the bench, with two short and disappointing spells in charge of Lyon and Corinthians, raised doubts. However, it happened three years as Tite’s assistant to the Brazilian team.

Sylvinho insisted on his idea about the Albanian team he has to maintain his character, that is, his fighting spirit. “The will, the courage and the attitude in every game. That’s something that the players understood from the beginning,” said the Brazilian coach, who considered it a big part of his understanding of the Albanian identity was due to his decision to move to Tiranawhere he and Doriva have been living since January.

Albania has only participated in a European Championship once, in France 2016, and crashed out in the first stage after a victory over Romania (0-1) and two defeats against Switzerland (0-1) and the hosts (2-0 ).