Albanian soccer leader Silvinho recently said bluntly that the opening match of the European Cup will be like a Tarzan, giving rival Italy an unprecedented psychological weight. Despite the challenges Albania faced in the qualifying rounds, the team has sharpened its edge and vowed to fight hard in the competitive arena of the UEFA Europa League.
Silvinho further pointed out that Italy, the cradle of soccer, has always shown strong competitive strength. He cited the example of Brazil's draw with Switzerland in the 2018 World Cup as a warning that Italy's subsequent journeys would be difficult if they lost their opening match.
However, Silvinho also admitted that Albania is not under as much pressure as Italy, but is also feeling the tension of the tournament. He revealed that his players are healthy and are giving their best on the training ground and morale is high.
Reflecting on his coaching career, Silvinho mentioned his valuable experience in Italy, particularly his time as an assistant coach at Inter Milan, which he credits with giving him invaluable experience and praising the tactical philosophy of Italian soccer.
As the Europa League draws closer, Silvinho and his Albanian team are ready to go, eager to show their true strength in the tournament and compete with the likes of Italy and other powerhouses.
