Ex-Arsenal and Man City stars reunite to lead Albania in Euros group of death (2024)

Euro 2024 preview - Albania: Former Arsenal and Barcelona defender Sylvinho has transformed Albania's fortunes since his appointment in early 2023, but now they face their toughest test yet

What do you get for winning your qualifying group against the odds and reaching only your second European Championship? The group of death.

Eighteen months ago, ex-Arsenal and Barcelona defender Sylvinho took on only his third managerial role after brief spells with Lyon and Corinthians with a nation not fancied to qualify for a major tournament any time soon: Albania. The 50-year-old's appointment raised eyebrows to put it mildly but their form in qualifying was even more surprising.

After narrowly losing their opening game 1-0 to Poland in Warsaw, Albania went the next seven games unbeaten and, even with the Czech Republic pushing them for top spot, finished in first place. As the lowest-scoring group winners across Europe, it was Albania's home form in their fiery Tirana backyard which went a long way towards them boasting the second-best defensive record only behind France.

Sylvinho has been joined in the dugout by Pablo Zabaleta, who he spent a season alongside at Manchester City, and former Middlesbrough midfielder Doriva. Their combined efforts have turned Albania into a stern, tough-to-beat outfit, but that reputation will face the ultimate test in Group B.

Three-time winners Spain, holders Italy and World Cup bronze medalists Croatia will be Albania's opponents, all more than capable of giving them a reality check. So, are Sylvinho's side going just to take part and make some memories?

Not if the Brazilian has anything to say about it.

"We are not going there to have fun anyway," Sylvinho recently declared. "Our job is not done and, if we have any chance of advancing to the knockout stage, we will fight for it the same way we did in the qualifiers."

Your turn! Can Albania claim a scalp in Group B? Give us your prediction in the comments section

How might Albania trouble the big boys, then? With three goals and two assists, dangerous wide man Jasir Asani, who plays his club football for South Korean side Gwangju, was their breakout star in qualifying.

Sylvinho and his staff were so intrigued by the uncapped 29-year-old that because of the time difference, they spent multiple Saturday mornings in his office watching Asani's matches live. His thunderous strike to open the scoring in Albania's 2-0 win at home to Poland in September was one of the goals of European qualifying and it was assisted by perhaps the most recognisable name in their squad, Elseid Hysaj.

The ex-Napoli right-back, who now plays for Lazio, has been one of Serie A's most consistent defenders of the last decade and started all three of Albania's matches at Euro 2016. Hysaj, 30, will be part of a defensive unit with heavily calcio influence, as many of them also play in the Italian top-flight such at Atalanta centre-back Berat Djimsiti and goalkeeper Etrit Berisha of Empoli.

Ranked 66th in the world, only 75th-placed Georgia are considered weaker by FIFA when it comes to teams completing at Euro 2024. Two draws to round out their qualifying campaign slowed Albania's momentum and two defeats in their March friendly double-header halted it altogether.

Monday's 3-0 win at home to Liechtenstein, however, will've been a welcome confidence boost, with Asani joined on the scoresheet by Besiktas forward Ernest Muci and Chelsea's Armando Broja. Born in Slough to Albanian parents, Broja even rejected an approach from England under-21s in 2019 because he was fixated on representing the Kuqezinjte (the Red and Black).

The Chelsea striker - set for a summer transfer - has only scored three goals across the last two Premier League seasons, including a barren loan spell with Fulham recently. His stints at Southampton and Vitesse Arnhem showed promise, though, and what better stage to remind everyone of his talents than against some of the favourites on the big stage?

Albania squad for Euro 2024

Goalkeepers: Etrit Berisha (Empoli), Thomas Strakosha (Brentford), Elhan Kastrati (Cittadella)

Defenders: Elseid Hysaj (Lazio), Berat Djimsiti, (Atalanta), Ardian Ismajli (Empoli), Arlind Ajeti (CFR Cluj), Marash Kumbulla (Sassuolo), Enea Mihaj (Famalicao), Naser Aliji (Voluntari), Ivan Balliu (Rayo Vallecano), Mario Mitaj (Lokomotiv Moscow)

Midfielders: Amir Abrashi (Grasshoppers), Ylber Ramadani (Leece), Klaus Gjasula (Darmstadt), Qazim Laci (Sparta Prague), Nedim Bajrami (Sassuolo), Kristjan Asllani (Inter Milan), Ernest Muci (Besiktas), Medon Berisha (Leece)

Forwards: Rey Manaj (Sivasspor), Armando Broja (Chelsea), Taulant Seferi (Baniyas), Jasir Asani (Gwangju), Mirlind Daku (Rubin Kazan), Arber Hoxha (Dinamo Zagreb)

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