Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how Albania could line up for Monday’s Euro 2024 Group B clash with Spain.
Albania head coach Sylvinho is expected to be working with a fully-fit contingent for Monday’s crucial Euro 2024 Group B showdown against Spain in Dusseldorf.
The Red and Blacks salvaged a point in a last-gasp 2-2 draw with Croatia last time out, leaving them third in the section and still capable of pipping reigning champions Italy to a second-placed finish.
Albania’s injury-time equaliser versus Croatia was provided by Klaus Gjasula – who had scored past his own goalkeeper mere moments before – but he is one of five players who must tread carefully.
Armando Broja, Elseid Hysaj, Arber Hoxha and Mirlind Daku are also at risk of missing any last-16 clash if they pick up a yellow card on Monday, but Sylvinho is unlikely to factor that into his team selection.
As a result, vice-captain Hysaj should win his 87th cap – taking him closer to Lorik Cana‘s all-time record of 93 – at right-back, as part of an unchanged rearguard also comprising Thomas Strakosha, Berat Djimsiti, Arlind Ajeti and Mario Mitaj.
Gjasula’s pivotal equaliser on matchday two should not see the 34-year-old force his way into the engine room over Kristjan Asllani or Ylber Ramadani, though, while fellow goalscorer Qazim Laci should continue in the advanced slot.
Attacking trio Rey Manaj, Jasir Asani and Nedim Bajrami – scorer of the quickest goal the men’s Euros has ever seen – reprising their roles would see the Albanians field an untouched XI, as Broja takes his seat on the bench again.
Albania possible starting lineup:
Strakosha; Hysaj, Ajeti, Djimsiti, Mitaj; Asllani, Ramadani; Asani, Laci, Bajrami; Manaj
No Data Analysis info