Albania will have to give one big performance to stand any chance of progression as they take on an unbeaten Spain on Monday.
Albania could create an unwanted record if they score first against Spain and then end up not winning. No team has suffered a run of three winless games after nicking the first goal, although Sylvinho will have to think beyond that and deliver something more tangible that lets his steam stay and fight another day in the Euros.
After losing their opening game against Italy, Albania put up a fight against Croatia, as it was a day of reckoning for substitute midfielder Klaus Gjasula. The Albanian star came off the bench and scored his own goal, which seemed to have given Croatia all three points until he popped up in the 95th minute to get an equaliser that potentially gave his team a lifeline in the tournament.
Albania may not dream of a second-place finish in the tournament, although it is still mathematically possible that Italy and Croatia should draw while Spain loses to them. However, a third-place finish is what Sylvinho might target, considering they might still have a chance to go through the knockout phases with that route.
Meanwhile, their opponents, Spain, are positioning themselves as one of the firm favourites after a narrow but convincing win over Italy on Matchday 2. La Roja came through the first game with a victory over Croatia. They followed that up with a slender 1-0 success over Italy, courtesy of an own goal from defender Riccardo Calafiori after brilliant work from Nico Williams.
With that win, Spain has qualified for the knockout rounds and is currently in the group of Germany and Portugal, who also qualified. Luis de la Fuente will certainly target a 100% record in their group games and put their status as group winners beyond any slightest doubt.
On paper, they are the group winners as things stand, although it would take a huge win for Italy and Spain to lose their clash with Albania. They have a fantastic record against the Red and Blacks, having won all eight of their previous meetings with an aggregate score of 31-3 in those encounters.
Team News & Tactics
Albania
Sylvinho has no visible injury problems, but five players are walking a suspension tightrope. Armando Broja, Gjasula, Elseid Hysaj, Arber Hoxha and Mirlind Daku are all on one yellow card and could miss the round of 16 clash should they pick a booking against Spain. But more importantly, Albania should make the knockout rounds.
The manager will not be concerned about that problem, as he will select his strongest eleven to have a chance to qualify. Their strongest lineup will have Atalanta star Berat Djimsiti and Arlind Ajeti at the heart of the defence, while Elseid Hysaj and Mario Mitaj are firmly settled in the full-back roles.
Midfielder Klaus Gjasula will again be an option off the bench as Sylvinho will go with the likes of Ylber Ramadani and Kristjan Asllani as his preferred central midfield options.
The manager might keep Rey Manaj as his central striker and retain Broja on the bench once again. Behind the forward will be Qazim Laci in the no.10 role, while Jasir Asani and Nedim Bajrami will play through the wings.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Ramadani, Asllani; Asani, Laci, Bajrami; Manaj
Spain
Given that Spain has qualified, and there is a strong likelihood of them finishing as group winners, irrespective of what happens in the group on Matchday 3, will Luis de la Fuente rotate his pack or stick with his guns? The chances of the former are stronger, as the manager might rest his key starters to give others a chance to feature from the start.
This means there will be wholesale changes, barring maybe one or two stars like skipper Alvaro Morata and defender Aymeric Laporte. Dani Vivian could start alongside the Al-Nassr defender, while Jesus Navas and Alex Grimaldo could come in as full-back.
Even David Raya could get a run out in place of Unai Simon, although Luis de la Fuente might retain his original No.1 choice. Martin Zubimendi could replace the suspended Rodri at the base of the Spanish midfield, while his Real Sociedad teammate Mikel Merino might take the spot on the right side, with Alex Baena likely to come in on the left.
Mikel Oyarzabal or Dani Olmo could get a start on the left side of the front three, with Ferran Torres and Morata completing the attacking unit for Spain.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Raya; Navas, Vivian, Laporte, Grimaldo; Merino, Zubimendi, Baena; Torres, Morata, Oyarzabal
Key Stats
- Albania scored first and remained winless in their two group games.
- No nation has ever scored first in three European Championship games in a row and failed to win any of them.
- Spain have beaten Albania in all of their eight previous meetings, scoring 31 goals and conceding thrice.
- Spain have scored at least two goals in each of their last eight games against Albania.
Player to Watch
Alvaro Morata
Morata might be one of the two or three players who retain their place in the starting lineup, as Luis de la Fuente will use this game as an opportunity to rest key stars. However, the striker will have the responsibility to finish the group on a high and maintain Spain’s 100% record.
Getting a goal or more will also be on the striker’s agenda, as he failed to replicate his form from the opening game when they faced Italy. Morata certainly wishes to take his team deep into the tournament and will have eyes on the top scorer accolade when the competition winds down.
Prediction
Albania 0-3 Spain
Spain could repeat their performance against Croatia, as Albania have been vulnerable in the defence throughout the tournament. Moreover, Luis de la Fuente will have the luxury of resting his best players and adding many fresh legs to the equation, as these stars will be hungry to make a big point for their manager.
Albania are coming into this clash under tremendous pressure to get a positive result. They will also be mindful of their dreadful record against Spain, as La Roja are the clear favourites to take three points and might score at least three goals without their opponents responding in any manner.
