Albania Tekuk dari Luksemburg Saat Perubahan Struktur Kepelatihan

Tim nasional sepak bola Albania menelan kekalahan kandang 0-1 dari Luksemburg dalam laga persahabatan di Stadion Air Albania pada Sabtu, 6 Juni 2026 malam waktu setempat. Hasil negatif ini memperpanjang tren buruk Albania sekaligus menandai masa transisi tim di bawah asuhan pelatih baru, Rolando Maran.

Kekalahan ini memicu kekecewaan mendalam bagi bek Albania, Elseid Hysaj, yang menjalani pertandingan ke-100 bersama tim nasional. Hysaj mengakui skuadnya sedang beradaptasi dengan strategi baru setelah pergantian posisi pelatih pascalaga play-off Piala Dunia.

"I would have liked to celebrate the 100th game differently. I'm a little happy and a little sad, it's a game we could have won. Let's look ahead. If we think back, we can make mistakes, but let's look ahead and fix the things we did wrong." kata Elseid Hysaj, Bek Albania.

Hysaj menambahkan bahwa kondisi fisik para pemain cukup terkuras karena baru saja menyelesaikan kompetisi liga yang panjang. Tim nasional Albania juga harus menjalani jadwal padat dengan melakoni dua pertandingan dalam kurun waktu tiga hari.

"On the field, Luxembourg analyzed our weak points. We had 2-3 chances to score, but we couldn't do it even against Israel. That's how football is, if you don't give 110%, anyone can beat us and hurt us. I hope our attackers can get unblocked, we need that feeling of scoring. I hope we can fix this situation. I want to give my best, I hope the boy becomes a footballer," ujar Elseid Hysaj, Bek Albania.

Sebelum rangkaian pertandingan persahabatan ini dimulai, penyerang Albania Myrto Uzuni sempat memaparkan pandangannya mengenai iklim kompetisi di dalam tim. Skuad Albania memulai pemusatan latihan dengan optimisme tinggi menghadapi era baru di bawah Maran.

"Obviously, it’s a new coaching staff, and the system is different as well. With the new coach, I can play in a more attacking role. As has happened in the past, when we’ve had an attack-minded coach, we’ve scored more goals." kata Myrto Uzuni, Penyerang Albania.

Uzuni yang saat ini membela Austin FC menjelaskan status kontraknya di Amerika Serikat setelah sempat mendapatkan penawaran dari klub Eropa pada bursa transfer Januari lalu.

"I have a contract with Austin FC. I received a very good offer in January and the transfer was almost completed, but in the end it fell through because Austin did not bring in many new players." kata Myrto Uzuni, Penyerang Albania.

Terkait persaingan internal, Uzuni menilai kehadiran pelatih baru memberikan kesempatan setara bagi seluruh pemain untuk memperebutkan posisi utama di tim nasional.

"Of course, everyone will try to prove themselves. Everyone has quality, and every player can be a starter because they are among the best players in Albania. As I said, everyone has the opportunity to earn a place in the starting lineup. I also want to wish coach Sylvinho success. We achieved important results together. As for the new coach, as you can see from his experience with previous teams, his forwards have scored many goals, and I hope the same will happen with the national team." kata Myrto Uzuni, Penyerang Albania.

Lebih lanjut, Uzuni menegaskan keselarasan target antara pemain dan pelatih untuk mengincar posisi puncak di UEFA Nations League serta kelolosan menuju UEFA Euro 2028.

"When you play for the national team, you always have goals because you are playing for your country. We want to finish first in the Nations League and qualify for the European Championship. These are the goals that drive us forward. If a player does not have the hunger and desire to play in the European Championship and to win, then he is not welcome in the national team." kata Myrto Uzuni, Penyerang Albania.

Sementara itu, gelandang Juljan Shehu menyoroti fleksibilitas taktik dan pentingnya uji coba bulan Juni sebagai fondasi pembentukan identitas bermain sebelum kompetisi resmi bergulir pada September mendatang.

"Every coach has their own ideas and views regarding the positioning of players on the field. I still don’t know whether I will play in a more advanced role or in the same position as before. I will continue to give my maximum for the national team and contribute as much as possible to the squad. If I play further forward, I will give my best, but even if I continue in the same role, I will still do everything I can." kata Juljan Shehu, Gelandang Albania.

Shehu juga memaklumi potensi perombakan formasi yang dibawa oleh tim pelatih baru demi menyesuaikan dengan filosofi permainan Maran.

"Every coach who joins the national team has their own ideas and wants to build the squad according to their philosophy. Naturally, there may be changes because it is a new coach, and that is completely normal." kata Juljan Shehu, Gelandang Albania.

Rangkaian laga persahabatan melawan Israel dan Luksemburg dipandang Shehu sebagai momentum krusial untuk mematangkan taktik tim.

"I hope these two matches will be very important for us in terms of the continuity we want to build ahead of the Nations League campaign in September. They are two important fixtures, and we must do our best to establish our identity under the new coach." kata Juljan Shehu, Gelandang Albania.

Shehu menyambut positif kehadiran para pemain baru ke dalam tubuh skuad dan menganggap persaingan ketat akan meningkatkan kualitas tim secara keseluruhan.

"Every new player who comes into the national team deserves to be here. Every position and every place in the squad is open to everyone. The player who deserves it most will play, and competition is good for the team." kata Juljan Shehu, Gelandang Albania.