The Albanian national team held its official training session in Malaga today ahead of the friendly against Gibraltar, scheduled for September 4 at 18:00 local time at the “Europa Point” Stadium in Gibraltar.
Head coach Sylvinho worked with the full squad for over an hour, focusing mainly on tactical aspects. Goalkeeper Simon Simoni also joined the group in training, replacing Elhan Kastrati, who was not fully fit. The medical staff has confirmed that the rest of the squad is in good shape, with no injury concerns reported so far.
Following the friendly against Gibraltar, Albania will host Latvia in a crucial 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier on September 9 at the “Air Albania” Stadium in Tirana, kicking off at 20:45. Tickets for the qualifier are available online at ebileta.al or at the physical ticket office located at the stadium’s main entrance, open daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
Sylvinho: “Every Match Matters”
In the official pre-match press conference, coach Sylvinho underlined the importance of approaching the Gibraltar match with the same seriousness as any competitive fixture.
“We have prepared well for tomorrow’s game and want a positive result. I don’t believe in friendly matches – every match is important. It’s a chance to perform well, build confidence, and prepare for the decisive qualifier against Latvia,” said the Brazilian coach.
Sylvinho also addressed the departure of defender Adrian Bajrami, who has opted to represent Switzerland at international level:
“This is a situation that happens everywhere in football. I spoke with him for about 30 minutes on the phone. I wish him all the best, but we are happy with the players we have. The new call-ups—Kacurri, Shpendi, and Çokaj—have shown great enthusiasm and pride to play for Albania.”
On the condition of striker Armando Broja, Sylvinho was optimistic:
“Broja is in good shape. He knows he must play as much as possible at club level to grow and gain experience. He is training well with us and is fully fit.”
Kumbulla: “We’ve Worked on Our Mistakes”
Alongside Sylvinho, defender Marash Kumbulla also spoke to the media, confirming the team’s focus on learning from past errors:
“We have analyzed our mistakes from previous matches against Latvia and Serbia. The team has worked hard here in Malaga to improve. I am always ready if the coach decides to give me minutes. The national team belongs to everyone, and we are all here to give our best.”
Focus Turns to Latvia
While the Gibraltar friendly will serve as a test and opportunity to evaluate the squad, Sylvinho made it clear that the priority is the qualifier against Latvia:
“Latvia is a very physical and well-organized side. It will be a tough match, but we are preparing properly. We know the importance of that game, and we must deliver our best performance.”
The Red and Blacks will aim to secure a strong result against Gibraltar as they continue building momentum toward their World Cup qualifying campaign.