Timnas Albania Tantang Luksemburg demi Putus Tren Buruk

Tim nasional sepak bola Albania bersiap menjamu Luksemburg dalam laga persahabatan internasional di Stadion Air Albania pada Sabtu, 6 Juni 2026, pukul 20.00 waktu setempat.

Pertandingan ini menjadi momentum krusial bagi kedua tim untuk memutus rangkaian hasil negatif sekaligus mematangkan strategi menjelang turnamen UEFA Nations League yang akan bergulir pada September mendatang.

Skuat asuhan Rolando Maran saat ini sedang berada dalam tren buruk setelah menelan empat kekalahan beruntun, termasuk kekalahan tipis 1-0 dari Israel dalam laga terakhir mereka.

Di kubu lawan, Luksemburg yang dilatih oleh Jeff Strasser juga baru saja menelan kekalahan 1-0 dari Italia dalam pertandingan tengah pekan mereka.

Dalam konferensi pers menjelang pertandingan, pelatih Albania, Rolando Maran, mengungkapkan bahwa waktu kepemimpinannya yang baru berjalan sekitar 20 hari memberikan tantangan tersendiri dalam mengenali kedalaman skuat.

" I think some things were done well and some not so well. I expected that when you make changes, there might be difficulties. I have been the national team coach for about 20 days. I was clear that knowing the team is different when you train the players, listen to them and communicate with them. This is all a journey ," kata Maran.

Maran juga menanggapi kritik mengenai tumpulnya lini depan Albania yang gagal mencetak gol dalam beberapa laga terakhir dengan menegaskan bahwa timnya sebenarnya mampu menciptakan peluang matang.

" We had 3-4 high-risk chances in front of goal. Hoxha, Ramadani and Mehmeti had chances, but perhaps there was a lack of precision. We need to balance ourselves as a team and improve important tactical elements for the next match ," ujar Maran.

Pelatih berkebangsaan Italia tersebut menambahkan bahwa organisasi permainan saat memberikan tekanan kepada lawan menjadi salah satu fokus utama yang harus segera diperbaiki.

" There are some things we need to improve. When we apply pressure, we should not allow spaces, especially on the wings. I believe that this improvement will come very quickly. In 3-4 days we have managed to understand each other well and find a common language ."

Maran juga mengingatkan anak asuhnya untuk tidak menganggap remeh kekuatan Luksemburg dan menekankan pentingnya hasil akhir dalam laga pemanasan ini.

" There are no easy opponents. We have to take to the field with great attention. This result matters and these two matches will be very key for our preparation for the September challenges ."

Maran mengonfirmasi bahwa penyerang Myrto Uzuni dalam kondisi siap tempur, sementara Anis Mehmeti masih terkendala kondisi flu, serta memberikan apresiasi khusus kepada bek Elseid Hysaj yang akan mencatatkan penampilan ke-100 bersama tim nasional.

" I don't like to mention names, I want to appreciate the team's work. However, Hysaj has a record number of matches and is one of those players who helps the team grow. Making so many appearances and continuing to give your best is to be appreciated ."

Terkait eksperimen posisi pemain, Maran berencana untuk menempatkan Luis Hasa di sektor gelandang tengah agar pemain debutan tersebut dapat bergerak lebih bebas.

" Hasa will be more in the middle of the field, to be more free in movement than as a winger. Maybe the midfield position would be the most suitable for him, but we have to work since it is the first time he has been called up for the national team ."

Maran menutup keterangannya dengan menegaskan bahwa laga melawan Luksemburg merupakan ujian penting untuk memetakan potensi seluruh pemain menjelang turnamen resmi.

" We need time and space to understand how the national team can develop further. This test will help me better understand the characteristics of the players. The Nations League is ahead and it is very important for us ."

Gelandang Albania, Ylber Ramadani, turut memberikan evaluasi mengenai kekalahan dari Israel dan menyebutkan adanya kendala organisasi permainan pada babak kedua.

" We had prepared the match to play an offensive game, to attack the opponent more and I think that part of the game, the first half, we did very well. Then in the second half we were a little further apart and they scored. But the coach told us after the match that this serves me for the next matches, to see what is missing and then we will practice the other things in the match ," kata Ramadani.

Kendati demikian, Ramadani menegaskan bahwa suasana internal tim saat ini sangat kondusif dan penuh energi positif untuk mengincar kemenangan.

" The atmosphere is fantastic. As you can see, we are all together and we are with each other. It is an atmosphere that I always look forward to experiencing, because we have a great time with each other. This positive energy has always driven us forward and I think we will win the next match ," ucap Ramadani.

Pemain tengah Albania tersebut menambahkan bahwa seluruh anggota tim bekerja keras demi meraih hasil maksimal agar bisa memasuki masa liburan dengan tenang.

" We are preparing maximally because we want to win the match and go on vacation with a calm head. These two matches serve us a lot, because we need to practice the game that the coach asks of us, so that we can come to September with clear ideas for the matches that await us ," tutur Ramadani.

Ramadani juga menyampaikan pesan kepada para pendukung Albania agar terus memberikan dukungan langsung di stadion terlepas dari siapapun pemain yang diturunkan oleh pelatih.

" I always say that the fans are our strength and without them we cannot achieve the objectives we have. I urge them to come as much as possible and support us, regardless of who plays or not in the lineup. We players also never question when the National Team calls us. We have always been away from our family and commitments to give our best. I hope they come to support us and that we are all together ," ujar Ramadani.

Dalam pertandingan ini, Albania diprediksi menerapkan formasi 4-3-1-2 dengan mengandalkan Alen Sherri di posisi penjaga gawang menggantikan Thomas Strakosha yang absen.

Sektor pertahanan akan dikomandoi oleh kapten Elseid Hysaj di sisi kanan, Mario Mitaj di sisi kiri, serta duet bek tengah Arlind Ajeti dan Klisman Cake.

Barisan gelandang diperkirakan diisi oleh Kristjan Asllani sebagai pengatur permainan, didampingi oleh Ylber Ramadani dan Juljan Shehu, sementara Luis Hasa akan bergerak di belakang duet penyerang Arbër Hoxha dan Myrto Uzuni.

Berdasarkan catatan statistik dari Sportsmole dan Goal, rekor pertemuan kedua tim dalam beberapa tahun terakhir cukup berimbang, di mana Luksemburg memenangi pertemuan terakhir kedua tim dengan skor 2-1 dalam laga persahabatan yang berlangsung pada 4 Juni 2017 silam.