Shehu and Laçi talk about the match with Serbia: Let's give our best and continue the dream

On the eve of the qualifying match against Serbia, valid for the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, midfielders Qazim Laçi and Juljan Shehu appeared today at a press conference, held at the "Air Albania" stadium.

Both players emphasized the importance of this match and stated that the team will enter the field with the aim of obtaining a positive result.

Juljan Shehu said that despite the pressure of this match, all the boys are professional footballers and underlined that the entire team's desire is to continue their journey in the 2026 World Cup qualifiers.

How do you feel about this match, considering the pressure? – We are professional footballers. For us, pressure is normal. It is undoubtedly an important match for us, but we will go there to get the maximum possible.

How is this match experienced, considering the change of stadium and the first conversations between the players? – This is not an issue that concerns us. For us, it is important that everyone is focused and concentrated on the objective we have for this match. We will go there to give our maximum, to get the three points. This is the most important thing for us. We have not spoken to the boys yet, because we are not all gathered. We are very few players at the moment. For us, it is important, regardless of the stadium and the field, to go there and get the maximum.

The challenge against Serbia, a final that brings us closer to the World Cup? – This is a match of great importance for us, for the very fact that I believe that this match will also determine the continuity of our objective of going to the World Cup. It is a decisive match for our objective, so we are very focused on getting the most out of it and continuing our dream of going to the World Cup.

You took Ramadan's "place" in the national team. Have you spoken to him? What is his comment? – In the National Team, we are all about doing our best, regardless of who starts as a starter. These are issues that the coach decides. We are here to do our best and give our maximum for the National Team. We are friends with Ramadan, we have a very good relationship and we support each other, regardless of who plays.

Can you bring to the National Team what you are doing in the team? – I have brought the best version of myself to the National Team, regardless of position and tactics, and I will continue to do my best for the National Team.

Qazim Laçi said that the team is ready and motivated to give their best in the match against Serbia, with the aim of keeping the World Cup dream alive.

How difficult is it to maintain emotional and professional balance? – It will be a very difficult match. It is a decisive match. We are professionals. We are used to pressure, each on their own team. The objective is to get the 3 points, for our dream of going to the World Cup. That is how we have to prepare, so to get the victory.

You've reached your optimal form, will you provide the assist for the goal against Serbia? – When you are with the National Team you have to give more, as you have an obligation because you represent the nation. I have given my maximum with Albania to get victories and that will continue. I hope for a victory in Serbia.

How is such a match experienced? – I agree with you, there will be a lot of emotions in this match. As professionals we have to be calm, focused and look at every detail. This is exactly the point that will make the difference. That is where we will focus to get the three points.

Who will be the key to the match? – For our part, we approach the matches according to the opponent we play. The opponent we face is strong. In the first match at “Air Albania” we showed that we avoided pressure. We showed that we had the opportunity to win, despite the draw. For our part, we must be focused. The details will make the difference. Both teams will be closed, like the first match. But we have it in our hands. We will enter from the first minute to get the three points.

We are playing in a stadium with a reduced capacity and Serbia is not in the best conditions, how do you see the chances of victory? – The statistics are for you, we expect a strong match. We know that Serbia is playing at home. We will prepare to get the 3 points. It will be decisive for the World Cup dream.