Albania’s National Football Team is preparing for a crucial UEFA Nations League 2025 qualifier against Georgia, following a disappointing loss to the Czech Republic. Georgia is often seen as a weaker opponent for Albania, but history suggests otherwise, as the two teams have faced off 16 times, with Albania only managing three wins. Georgia has won nine matches, and four have ended in draws. Albania’s national team, under coach Sylvinho, is looking to break its poor record in Tbilisi, a venue where the team has never won.

Why is this important: The match is important as Albania has only three points after three rounds, while Georgia leads with six points. A loss could severely impact Albania’s chances in the qualifiers, and the team faces pressure to not only win but also improve its historically poor performance against Georgia. Despite earlier successes under Sylvinho, recent games have raised concerns about Albania’s form and strategy, particularly following the defeat to the Czech Republic.

Criticism from Igli Tare: Ahead of the Georgia match, former Albania international and Lazio sporting director Igli Tare expressed concerns about the current state of the national team. In an interview with Panorama Sport, Tare criticized the team’s lack of hunger and questioned the minimal use of talented players like Myrto Uzuni and Jasir Asani, whose presence could bring more offensive creativity.

Tare, drawing on his experience in football management, pointed out that while Sylvinho was praised for his role in securing qualification for Euro 2024, recent performances have been lackluster. He highlighted the need for bolder, more offensive tactics, noting that Albania could have played with more courage against stronger opponents like Italy and Croatia during the Euro qualifiers. Tare also criticized Sylvinho’s reliance on the same players, despite the demanding schedule of back-to-back matches.

“I believe that after the European Championship, there has been a drop in ambition,” Tare said. “We had the potential to perform better, but the team has been too cautious. Sylvinho needs to rotate players more frequently, especially considering the tight schedule of matches and travel.”

Expectations against Georgia: The upcoming match against Georgia presents a crucial test for Sylvinho and his squad. While Georgia is often underestimated, their strong start in the qualifiers and Albania’s historical struggles against them make this match more challenging than it appears on paper. Albania’s three victories against Georgia have all come at home, and Tbilisi remains a tough venue, where the team has never succeeded.

Albania’s defense has also been a point of concern, with 24 goals conceded in past encounters against Georgia, compared to only 13 goals scored by Albania. Sylvinho’s focus will be on tightening the defense and finding a way to break down a Georgian team that appears more organized and confident, especially after their recent win against the Czech Republic.

Tare’s final thoughts: Tare also emphasized that while Sylvinho has been successful in certain areas, there is room for improvement in decision-making and team selection. He particularly singled out Elseid Hysaj, who, despite being criticized during the European Championship, has been a standout performer in recent matches due to his focus on national duties, having been left out of Lazio’s squad. Tare believes that this level of commitment is essential for all players in the squad.

Looking ahead: As Albania prepares to face Georgia, the team is under pressure to deliver a performance that not only secures three points but also restores confidence after recent struggles. Tare’s critique highlights underlying concerns, shared by many, about player rotation, tactical approach, and the team’s mentality, all of which Sylvinho will need to address if Albania is to remain competitive in the UEFA Nations League qualifiers.