Poland-Albania is a match from the second day of Group E of Euro 2024 qualifiers and is played on Monday at 20:45: tv, predictions.
Poland’s adventure in qualifying for the upcoming European Championships in Germany started with an ugly defeat in the direct clash with the Czech Republic, who prevailed 3-1 in Prague. The Santos management did not start under good auspices: that of the former coach of Portugal, who led the Portuguese selection to the roof of Europe in 2016, was a debut to forget.
Lewandowski and his team-mates paid the price for a shaky start, finishing 2-0 down after the first three minutes. The deadly one-two from Cvancara and Krejci, the two Sparta Prague stars, and the injury to Cash – the Aston Villa full-back was forced off – made everything more complicated. Poland tried to react but only managed to pierce the Czechs’ net in the final minutes, after the hosts had secured the three points by scoring the 3-0 goal through Kuchta. It was a poor performance by the Poles, coming after a World Cup in which they reached the round of 16, but played a speculative style of football that was not in line with the federation’s ambitions. Qualification is not at risk, but against Albania, on the second day, no mistakes are allowed. The two sides had already clashed in 2021 in the qualifiers for Qatar 2022, with Poland prevailing 4-1 in the first leg and 1-0 in the return over the national team then still led by Edi Reja.
Albania starts again with Brazilian Sylvinho
The experienced Italian coach is no longer on the Rossoneri’s bench: now there sits Brazilian Sylvinho, a former Arsenal defender who was also Roberto Mancini’s technical collaborator in his Inter days, before having fleeting experiences in France with Lyon and in Brazil with Corinthians, not particularly positive.
Sylvinho
His task is to revive a national team that has failed to achieve important results since the historic qualification for Euro 2016. Albania are the only national team in Group E not to have made their debut yet: their last match was last November when, after losing 3-1 to Italy in Tirana, they prevailed 2-0 over Armenia in a friendly. In the Nations League they only avoided relegation to League C because of Russia’s exclusion. It was a step backwards compared to what they showed in the Qatar 2022 qualifiers, in which they held their own against Poland, who earned a place in the play-offs thanks to two points more in the standings. Sylvinho can count on several talented players such as Asllani and Bajrami, but in this match he must do without Ismajli and Chelsea striker Broja, both of whom are injured.
The prediction
Poland proved they have more than one problem to solve in their clash with the Czech Republic. Now the examination of Albania, not exactly a walk in the park as the Eagles have started again with a new coach and have enthusiasm and desire to do well. Poles favourites but the guests should score at least one goal.
Poland-Albania matchday squad
- POLAND (4-4-2): Szczesny; Frankowski, Bednarek, Kiwior, Zalewski; S. Szymanski, D. Szymanski, Linetty, Zielinski; Swiderski, Lewandowski.
- ALBANIA (4-3-3): Berisha; Balliu, Kumbulla, Veseli, Hysaj; Abrashi, Asllani, Bajrami; Asani, Cikalleshi, Uzuni.
POSSIBLE RESULT: 2-1
