As Albania concludes their preparations for Euro 2024, they face Azerbaijan in a friendly at Haladas Stadion in Hungary on Friday night. This match, a key warm-up for Albania, also marks the first encounter between these two nations since November 2011, when Azerbaijan secured a narrow 1-0 victory.
Albania's Resurgence Under Sylvinho
Since the arrival of head coach Sylvinho in January last year, Albania has undergone a remarkable transformation. The former Arsenal, Barcelona, and Manchester City player has steered the Red and Blacks to their second-ever major tournament. Albania topped their Euro 2024 qualification group with 15 points, finishing ahead of teams like the Czech Republic and Poland.
Their impressive form continued with three consecutive wins in all competitions towards the end of 2023, boasting an aggregate score of 7-0. This success, however, was followed by a rocky start to the new year, with Albania failing to win any of their first four matches. This included back-to-back losses to Chile and Sweden during March's international break.
Yet, Albania found their rhythm just in time, securing a 3-0 friendly win over Liechtenstein on Monday. Sylvinho's leadership has been pivotal in maintaining high spirits within the squad, and he aims to guide Albania to their first victory over Azerbaijan since a 2-1 friendly win in August 2005.
Building Momentum for Euro 2024
Friday’s match is more than just a friendly; it's a crucial confidence booster ahead of Albania's daunting Euro 2024 Group B fixtures. The Red and Blacks are set to face Spain, Croatia, and holders Italy, with their first match against Italy on June 15. Currently ranked 66th in the world by FIFA, Albania hopes to carry the momentum from their recent win into the European Championships.
Azerbaijan's Struggles and New Beginnings
In contrast to Albania, Azerbaijan's journey towards major tournament qualification has been fraught with challenges. They finished fourth in Group F of Euro 2024 qualifying, managing only two wins from eight matches. This left them 12 points behind Belgium and Austria, who secured the top two automatic qualification spots.
The heavy 5-0 defeat to Belgium that concluded their campaign led to the dismissal of head coach Gianni De Biasi. Since then, under the interim management of Arif Asadov, Azerbaijan has shown signs of revival. They started 2024 with a narrow 1-0 win over Mongolia, followed by a 1-1 draw with Bulgaria.
Ranked 112th in the world by FIFA, Azerbaijan will soon face Kazakhstan next Tuesday, but first, they must focus on the challenge Albania presents. Historically, Azerbaijan has only beaten Albania once in four previous encounters, making this match an opportunity to improve their head-to-head record.
Improving Away Form
A significant challenge for Azerbaijan is their form away from home. They have won only four of their last 14 international away matches, conceding 27 goals in the process. Asadov's task is to bolster Azerbaijan's defense and overall performance on the road, starting with the match against Albania.
Key Players to Watch
For Albania, Jasir Asani, who scored in their recent win against Liechtenstein, will be a key player to watch. His performance, along with the collective efforts of the team, will be crucial in maintaining their winning streak.
Azerbaijan will rely heavily on Emin Makhmudov, who has been a consistent performer for the national team. His leadership and ability to influence the game could be pivotal in Azerbaijan's quest for a positive result.
Tactical Battle
Sylvinho is likely to deploy a balanced approach, focusing on solid defense while exploiting Azerbaijan’s vulnerabilities through quick counter-attacks. Albania’s recent form suggests they are capable of both scoring and maintaining clean sheets, a trend they will want to continue.
Asadov, on the other hand, might emphasize a more conservative strategy, aiming to frustrate Albania and capitalize on set-pieces or counter-attacks. Given their recent defensive frailties, Azerbaijan will need to be disciplined and cohesive to withstand Albania’s attacking threats.
Match Prediction
While friendlies are notoriously unpredictable, Albania’s recent form and higher FIFA ranking make them the favorites. However, Azerbaijan, under new management, could spring a surprise, especially if they tighten up their defense and take their chances efficiently.
Conclusion
As Albania and Azerbaijan lock horns at Haladas Stadion, both teams have much at stake. For Albania, it's about fine-tuning their squad and tactics ahead of Euro 2024. For Azerbaijan, it's an opportunity to rebuild and gain momentum under interim coach Arif Asadov. This friendly promises to be an intriguing encounter, providing valuable insights into the preparedness of both teams.
Fans can expect a competitive match as both sides look to end their preparations on a high note. Whether Albania continues their upward trajectory or Azerbaijan manages an upset, this fixture is set to be an exciting prelude to the footballing action in the months to come.
