Sylvinho to the media in Italy: Not only beaches, in Albania there is now also football...!
Albania is now 180 minutes away from history and the dream of all Albanians. The Red and Blacks, as is known, will play 2 important matches in the "Play-Off", where the undisputed goal is to win to be part of the teams in the 2026 World Cup.
First Poland and then the winner of the Ukraine-Sweden match will be the last "obstacles" for our team on the road to the "American dream." Victory in these two challenges would undoubtedly be the final piece that would complete the history of the Rossoneri.
Sylvinho is the "architect" of this success and the Brazilian recently gave an interview to "Gianluca Di Marzio.com". The Rossoneri helmsman talks about the team's journey and what it aims for in qualifying, while speaking with superlatives about some of the National Team players who are getting attention on their teams.
"After the three points we got in Serbia, things changed and the first time we returned to Tirana, the fans welcomed us with great enthusiasm. We are happy to highlight Albania from a different perspective, beyond the country and the beaches, now there is also football.
A long journey that required patience and a lot of dedication…? It's really a wonderful thing in my life to lead Albania. I have a passion for the country, for the people. We've been there for three years and we're doing a great job. I have to congratulate all the players. Reaching a World Cup qualifying stage for the first time is a great achievement. Then we'll play practically three months before the start. We're happy, but we have to prepare well.
How much has the variety of playing styles brought by players playing in foreign leagues helped you? They are a very organised team on the pitch, I must say. There is something European about them, it is a mixture. We have taken a bit of Spanish football, but also the crazy intensity of British football. But Brazil is in my blood; I am Brazilian as a person. I let myself go and I don't stop.
48 teams participating in the World Cup? There are basically 12 groups and in these some teams are in the knockout stage. From this stage, where we have to play, but also national teams like Italy, Sweden, Poland, only four will advance. There will be 16 more national teams than usual, so it will be played differently. It is not easy. Our strength also lies in the players' conviction that we can do well and really follow the right path.
The busiest period runs from now until March, as national teams will need to stay in touch with their players. But how can this be done? I have the advantage of having been there for a few years and when I arrived I started a process of getting to know the players. I am very communicative and in fact, Doriva, I and Pablo Zabaleta go to different cities to have a nice coffee with the players and have a little chat. During the week they prepare for a match, then they usually play on Sunday and I am there the following Tuesday. We have a great relationship with the players, but also with the clubs and from January we have to start working very carefully. We are thinking of visiting three or four players at most. We want to see the players on the pitch because that is always a good method.
What value can players who play in Serie A bring to the National Team? Italian football is tough, a tough league. There are a lot of tactical and physical development components. We have been on a good journey for three years. We have visited a lot of players in Italy. They are boys who are learning a lot. They play in a big league and you can see their growth immediately. We have to thank all the players who are doing a fantastic job.
I really like to see players grow. We have two players who were in the under-21 team a year and a half ago and they have improved a lot. One of them plays for Lecce, Medon Berisha. I took him to the 2024 European Championship in Germany, so that he could gain some experience. The other one is Adrion Pajaziti, who now plays in Croatia (Hajduk Split, ed.). He was at Fulham before and then took an important step forward. They are two different players, even though they are both midfielders. I believe in both of them a lot, there are many others, but for now, the two players who have made the most progress are them.”, Sylvinho has concluded his interview.
