There is still one point missing on the European Championship ticket: there is a lot of Switzerland in Albania’s coup

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Less than a year in office and already a national hero: a Brazilian will probably lead Albania to the 2024 European Championship. When the association introduced Sylvinho (49) as the new national coach in January, only his playing career included spells at Arsenal, Barcelona and Man City and two victories in the Champions League are dazzling.

But as a head coach? So far, Sylvinho has only had a disastrous short stay at Lyon and seven months in São Paulo with Corinthians. But the Brazilian made such an impact in Albania that the sensational leader of Group E needs just one more point to qualify for the European Championships in Moldova on Friday and against the Faroe Islands on Tuesday.

The emotional story about ex-FCZ player Djimsiti

No one doubts anymore that this final step will be taken. After their European Championship debut in 2016 with the legendary brotherly duel between Granit and Taulant Xhaka, Albania will participate in a final in Germany for the second time. And even as Taulant

Many players in the team around Serie A stars Kristian Asslani (21, Inter) and Elseid Hysaj (29, Lazio) have roots in Switzerland or have once played in the Super League. For Berat Djimsiti (30) from Zurich, the upcoming European Championship qualification is particularly emotional. The former FCZ junior was thrown out of the European Championship selection at the last second in 2016. Unofficially because of an intrigue. Officially because then coach Gianni De Biasi (67) did not consider him physically ready after a long injury break. Now the former Swiss U21 national team player has long been based in Italy with Atalanta, is an undisputed regular in the national team and is the captain of Sylvinho.

Ex-GC star Bajrami is flourishing after a change of pace

A second Zurich resident, Nedim Bajrami (24), plays an equally prominent role. The WG’s own crop changed countries noisily in 2021. As Bajrami almost fought his way through the jungle of regulations, he even needed the green light from the CAS sports field for his debut in Albania.

And now? Bajrami controls the offensive with the number 10 on his back and, with three goals and one assist, is the man with the most goalscorers next to South Korean loanee Jasir Asani (28).

The other Swiss: Arlind Ajeti (30) from Basel, who is now active in Romania. Taulant Seferi (27) played for YB, Wohlen, Winterthur and Xamax, now in Dubai. Armando Sadiku (32), previously photographer for FCZ, Vaduz and Lugano, now active in India. Swiss U17 world champion captain Frédéric Veseli (30), ex-Lugano and currently in Turkey, has not been used in qualifying so far, but is always in the selection. Ex-Basel player Naser Aliji (29) missed a few games due to an injury.

Ermir Lenjani (34, ex Winti, St. Gallen, GC, Sion, currently without a club) and GC captain Amir Abrashi (33) are also basically in the team’s orbit. However, this duo was only there in the beginning under Sylvinho and will probably have a difficult time at the 2024 European Championship.

Source : Blick