Albania’s 21-year-olds played their second friendly against Poland this afternoon in Antalya, Turkey. The Reds were defeated 2-0, in a match where the Reds led by Alban Bushi were dominant in front of the opponents.
The coach put this starting line-up on the field: Simoni; Buxhelaj, Mitaj, Preka, Dajko; Berisha; Ismaili, Pajaziti; Kurtulan, Bird; Toci. Two defensive changes for coach Bushi compared to the game won against Azerbaijan.
Elmando Gjini and Agan Mjaki, due to commitments with their clubs and injuries, were not starters and were replaced by Dajko and Preka. The game started with the Reds and Blacks in possession of the ball, but they were hit in the 11th minute after a mistake in the center of the defense.
Szymon Ulodarczyk found the back of the net for the Poles. The Reds took control of the game by gaining ground. The first opportunity for a goal came in the 38th minute. In the first minute of extra time, the best chance for the Reds and Blacks was recorded.
Steven Shpendi found himself alone in front of the goalkeeper Bakovski, but could not pass him. The second half came with another scoring opportunity in the 54th minute. After a cross from the right wing, the ball crossed the small area, but none of the attackers managed to push it into the net.
In the 63′-70′ minutes, the Reds and Blacks increased the pressure and were all in the Polish zone, trying many times with Toci, Pajazit and Kurtula. In the 80th minute, captain Berisha had a good chance with a free kick in front of Poland’s box. But he didn’t find the square with the ball that went just over the crossbar.
A minute later, the Poles scored the second goal, with the same author, Ulodarczyk, who took advantage of another mistake in the center of the defense.
In this second friendly match, coach Bushi had the opportunity to activate all the players he had received in the one-week training session. Two matches for the 21-year-olds, where they won 2-1 against Azerbaijan in the first.
Today they were defeated by the Poles. It should be noted that the match played by the red and blacks was positive. They created many chances to score, but failed to convert.
Friendly
Poland U21-Albania U21 2-0
(Szymon Ulodarczyk 11′, 81′)
Albania: Simon Simoni, Ajdi Dajko, Marcelino Preka, Mario Mitaj, Paulo Buxhelaj, Behar Ismaili, Arda Kurtulan, Medon Berisha, Eljon Toçi, Adrion Pajaziti, Steven Shpendi.
Activated: Lilo, Nerguti, Kristjan Shpendi, Torraj, Nikqi, Kurti, Gjuzi, Shehu, Alivoda. Coach: Alban Bushi.
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