San Marino v Albania: Maran wants ‘the best possible match’

Albania coach Rolando Maran spoke at the official press conference ahead of the match against San Marino, which will be played tomorrow at the San Marino Stadium at 20:45.

The red-and-black coach stressed that Albania must take the San Marino clash very seriously, keeping concentration, identity and tactical balance to manage the match properly. He also underlined the importance of rotation and managing energy across a run of four matches, while the team’s goal remains to take maximum points and fight for first place in the group.

“Of course we will have to face it with the right approach in such matches. These are matches that help you build a team’s mentality. We must take this match very seriously, also with a special attention and patience, because that way you know what to do. Of course we have a lot of respect for San Marino, but that also gives us motivation to take the right measures for the situations that will arise in the match.”

“What matters is that we play the best possible match and do well what we have prepared up to this morning’s official training. It is important in this case to read certain situations that the match will have, to make the best decisions also depending on how the opponent will play. We must have identity, but depending on the situations that arise we can also use vertical passes. Both can work.”

“As I said before, what matters for the growth of a team is mentality, and of course we must step onto the pitch regardless of the opponent to do what we know how to do. We must not settle for just a few elements. Of course the ideal conditions must also be created and everything taken very seriously. What matters is the growth of the team in this case.”

“I practically have an idea of who the starting lineup will be, even though let’s say we have about 24 hours before we play the match. I am convinced that all players will be ready to play the best possible match. The players don’t know the starting lineup yet either and it would be disrespectful for it to be known earlier through the media. In the final hours I will wait to do the final assessments from the physical aspect.”

“Of course it is also something different that we play four matches in a row. From the moment I prepared the list of called-up players, I took into account both physical conditions and the players’ characteristics. There may be changes, but not to the physiognomy of the team. It is important that we grow in value. I am very convinced that whoever plays will be motivated to do their best. All 28 called-up players have maximum commitment with the National Team. There may be some changes, as conditions favour, but not in the physiognomy of the team.”

“That would be something that would make the process difficult for us. When you have possession of the ball, especially against a team that will tend to close in defence, you have space to move the opposing defence, to create space, so as to avoid mistakes that could lead to a not-good result.”

“In fact I have invited most of them to Tirana. There will be a few people, but the number is not important. We are focused on the match, especially for the fact that there will be many Albanian fans in the stadium. We are responsible for making them proud and for doing our best.”