Albania’s Journey to Euro 2024: Sylvinho’s Rebuilding Process and Tactical Shift
In an unexpected turn of events, former football star Sylvinho found himself poring over Wycombe Wanderers matches in League One, taking notes from the comfort of his laptop. This was a far cry from his days as a full-back for Arsenal, Barcelona, and Manchester City. After a dinner with the Albanian FA president in Milan, Sylvinho agreed to take charge of the country’s national team. Little did he know that this decision would lead to a remarkable rebuilding process and a place in the Euro 2024 qualifiers.
Arriving at his office in Tirana in early 2023, Sylvinho brought along former City and West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta and former Middlesbrough midfielder Doriva as his assistants. Together, they meticulously scoured through 240 clips of games to identify potential players. From an initial list of 70 footballers, they gradually narrowed it down to 39, and finally settled on 23 players for their opening match against Poland.
Among the players selected was Anis Mehmeti, a winger who had never featured for Albania’s senior side. Mehmeti’s inclusion symbolized the start of Sylvinho’s rebuilding process. Sylvinho explained, “Zabaleta played for a long time in England, so he still has his contacts there and brought us some information about Mehmeti. We started watching him in League One, but, right after it, he signed with Bristol City in the Championship, leading us to think, ‘OK, the potential we’re seeing here, others are seeing as well.'”
The hard work paid off as Albania went unbeaten in their Euro 2024 qualifiers, securing qualification to the tournament with one game to spare. It was a historic achievement for the team, marking only the second time in their history that they would be competing in the Euros. Sylvinho became a local hero, revered by fans who approached him in the park near his hotel to express their respect and admiration.
Looking ahead to the tournament in Germany, Sylvinho acknowledged the tough draw that placed Albania alongside defending champions Italy, Croatia, and Spain. Despite the challenging group, Sylvinho affirmed that they were not going to Germany just to have fun. Their job was far from done, and they would fight for a chance to advance to the knockout stage, just as they did in the qualifiers.
One of the key changes Sylvinho made upon taking charge was a switch in formation from the 3-5-2 adopted by his predecessors to a 4-3-3. However, he faced a challenge in finding a left-footed right winger who could fit into this new system. Determined to make it work, Sylvinho and his staff delved into the federation database and identified two potential players. One of them was Jasir Asani, a 29-year-old player who plied his trade in South Korea.
Watching videos of Asani’s performances in Hungarian football, Sylvinho was immediately impressed. Asani possessed the qualities they were looking for – excellent one-on-one skills, a good shot, and pace. To accommodate the time difference, Sylvinho and his staff had to wake up early on Saturdays to watch Asani’s games. The effort paid off as Asani proved to be a valuable addition to the team, contributing three goals and two assists during the qualifiers.
Sylvinho’s decision to relocate to Tirana without his family played a significant role in his success with the team. It allowed him to fully understand the local identity and remain completely focused on his work. Conducting most meetings in Italian, Sylvinho’s aggressive attacking style has won over even the most skeptical fans and pundits. Albania has made headlines for their remarkable long-range goals, a testament to the team’s ability and Sylvinho’s encouragement to shoot whenever the opportunity arises.
As Albania prepares for Euro 2024, they face a challenging task ahead. However, Sylvinho’s rebuilding process and tactical shift have laid a strong foundation for the team. With their unwavering determination and fearless approach, Albania aims to make a lasting impression in Germany and prove that they deserve their place among Europe’s elite.