Click on any stream link below to watch the game.
Click on any link in the table above to watch the game.
As Albania gears up for a seismic challenge in the Euro 2024 Group of Death, they seek a morale-boosting win over minnows Liechtenstein in a friendly on Monday night in Hungary. Sylvinho's squad, having made significant strides under his leadership, will use this match as a final tune-up before facing some of the continent's heavyweights. Meanwhile, Liechtenstein, often seen as Europe's whipping boys, aim to build on their rare positive result from earlier this year.
Albania's Ascent Under Sylvinho
Sylvinho, a former Arsenal and Barcelona left-back, has been at the helm of a resurgent Albania. His tenure saw the Red and Blacks clinch a top spot in a tightly-contested Euro 2024 qualifying Group E. They edged out the Czech Republic by virtue of a superior head-to-head record, amassing 15 points from eight matches. Despite a rocky start with a loss to Poland, Sylvinho's men went on a seven-game unbeaten streak, showcasing their newfound resilience and tactical discipline.
The reward for their impressive qualifying campaign, however, is a daunting set of fixtures in Euro 2024. Albania will face reigning European champions Italy, two-time winners Spain, and 2018 World Cup runners-up Croatia. These matches will be a stern test of Sylvinho's tactical acumen and his squad's ability to compete at the highest level.
Albania's 2024 So Far
The year 2024 has not been kind to Albania in friendlies, as they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Chile and a 1-0 loss to Sweden. These results underscore the challenges ahead for Sylvinho and his team. However, the friendly against Liechtenstein represents a golden opportunity to regain confidence and fine-tune their strategies.
Monday’s match against Liechtenstein is arguably the most winnable fixture on Albania's calendar this year. Following this, they will also face Azerbaijan before embarking on their Euro 2024 journey. Even if Albania’s campaign ends at the group stage, as it did in 2016, participating in the tournament is a significant achievement and a testament to the progress made under Sylvinho's guidance.
Liechtenstein: Struggling for Success
On the other side, Liechtenstein's journey has been one of perennial struggles. Their latest qualifying campaign for Euro 2024 was their worst ever, ending with ten losses from ten matches in Group J. This dismal performance saw them share the unwanted honor of a winless campaign with San Marino, Cyprus, Malta, and Gibraltar.
Liechtenstein managed just one goal throughout their qualifying matches, highlighting their struggles in both defense and attack. Until a 1-1 draw with Latvia in March 2023, they were on a 24-game losing streak across all competitions. The last time they celebrated a victory was in October 2020, when they narrowly beat Luxembourg 2-1 in a friendly.
Historical Context
Monday's match will be the fourth encounter between Albania and Liechtenstein in men’s international football. Albania has emerged victorious in all three previous meetings, each ending with a 2-0 scoreline. This historical dominance gives Albania a psychological edge heading into the friendly.
Tactical Outlook
For Albania, this friendly is more than just a match; it’s a chance to experiment with formations and player roles. Sylvinho will likely use this opportunity to test different combinations and strategies, ensuring his squad is in peak condition for Euro 2024. Key players such as Armando Broja and Elseid Hysaj will be crucial in maintaining Albania's dominance and setting the tempo against Liechtenstein.
Liechtenstein, under the management of Konrad Funfstuck, will be looking to build on their draw against Latvia. They will likely adopt a defensive approach, focusing on damage limitation while trying to exploit any opportunities on the counter-attack. Maximizing set-pieces and defensive organization will be critical for them to avoid another heavy defeat.
Key Players to Watch
-
Albania: Look out for Armando Broja, a young and dynamic forward who has been pivotal for Albania in recent matches. Elseid Hysaj, the experienced right-back, will also play a crucial role in both defense and attack.
-
Liechtenstein: Captain Nicolas Hasler is their standout player, providing leadership and stability. Goalkeeper Benjamin Büchel will need to be at his best to keep the Albanian attack at bay.
Prediction
Given the current form and historical dominance, Albania is expected to secure a comfortable win against Liechtenstein. This match is crucial for building momentum and confidence ahead of their tough Euro 2024 group stage fixtures. For Liechtenstein, the primary aim will be to put up a resilient performance and gain valuable experience.
Conclusion
As Albania prepares for one of the toughest groups in Euro 2024, a friendly win over Liechtenstein would be a welcome boost. Sylvinho’s side has shown significant improvement and will be looking to refine their tactics and build confidence. On the other hand, Liechtenstein, aiming to shed their tag as Europe's whipping boys, will focus on resilience and learning from every match. This friendly, while a mismatch on paper, offers both teams a chance to achieve their respective goals ahead of the summer tournament.
