The head coach of the Albanian National Football Team, Silvinho, gave an interview to journalist Erion Todhe ahead of the team’s new journey in the UEFA Nations League.
The red-and-black coach spoke about the experience in the finals of the European Championship “Germany 2024,” as well as commented on the extension of his agreement with the Albanian Football Federation (FSHF) to continue the project he started with Albania.
Coach Silvinho also discussed the upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, stating that the future objective is to qualify for the World Cup.
Below is the full interview conducted with journalist Erion Todhe:
After Germany’s European Championship, have you reviewed the matches again with a cool head? What would you have done differently?
“It’s time to talk about everything that has happened in this year and a half of work. It was the first cycle of our journey together, a very beautiful journey. Playing in the European finals for the second time is historic. We all know, and people know, that it’s not easy to reach that stage. But when we got there, we faced a tough and challenging group. But I was pleased with that. Facing Italy, Spain, who won the Euros, and Croatia, an extraordinary team. In fact, after the matches, it’s easy to analyze. Of course, there are things that should have been done differently, but I went with the mindset of representing a nation as best as possible. I had told the players that we must be in the game in every match. We did well against Italy, and the match against Croatia could have been won. This is a difficult championship with many risks. Every mistake is a conceded goal. I am very satisfied with the players, but there is always room for improvement. We changed the formation for the second match by adding a midfielder, but overall, we did very well.”
On a personal level and as the coach of the National Team, what have you gained, and what lessons have you learned from the European finals?
“We have learned a lot; it was an excellent experience. I have been an assistant with Brazil in the World Cup in Russia. The European Championship is at a similar level. We have a young team, which is beautiful. We played against very strong players and teams. Being there is a luxury; for us, it was madness. On a personal level, I learned a lot. Every mistake costs a lot because the level of competition is very high. The players knew well that you cannot afford to make mistakes because you concede and are immediately out of the game. It was a great experience for the players as well. The level of focus was very high.”
After the finals, you renewed your contract. I believe you wanted to focus on the Euros first and then think about the renewal, which I suppose wasn’t difficult to achieve?
“No, absolutely not. In fact, it was a desire of both the Federation and ours, but the Euros were our focus. Both sides thought it through well, both the Federation and us as a staff. Our thought was to work hard for the Euros to avoid even the smallest mistake so that we wouldn’t lose focus. The most important thing at that moment was the players; it was an entire nation, 3 million here and 10 million abroad. For us as a staff, it is an advantage to continue working after a good result. Today we don’t start from scratch with the Albanian National Team. Today we start with more than 50% knowledge of the team and the players. Now we need to improve, to scout many other players who can serve us. We are pleased because we know Tirana, the Federation, and the Albanians, so the renewal was easy for us.”
Now the work resumes with the Nations League matches. Do you have ambitions for this competition, or will these matches serve as preparation for the World Cup qualifiers, which is a much more important goal than the Nations League?
“There is a dream, a desire, and an objective to reach the World Cup. But in the meantime, we have an important competition like the Nations League. I don’t consider it a transitional moment to gain experience or prepare. The first objective is to improve the team, to find new players. This is the National Team, and as such, it is open. If there is a player who can serve us, then he will come. The Nations League is difficult, and we have a tough group with Ukraine, Georgia, and the Czech Republic. We will fight for every point. It won’t be easy, but we will enter every match to win.”
After the UEFA Nations League, the World Cup qualifiers follow. Do you have a plan to change something in the team, perhaps a different style of play or a different mentality? What is your current thought?
“I believe there is always room for improvement. Beyond the formation, we have a good base; practically 70 or 75% of the group is established, but we have players who come with a lot of experience after the Euros. The players have understood one thing that for me, for the Federation, and for Albania, beyond the formation, the experience, the players, the technical quality, what is non-negotiable is the heart and soul of the team. The players know that they must have this both in training and in matches because this took us to the Euros. The desire and spirit of the team have also been understood by the people, that the spirit and heart are there on the field.”