Albania captain Berat Gjimshiti addressed the media today ahead of the national team’s decisive World Cup 2026 qualifying clash against Latvia, a match expected to play a key role in the team’s journey toward the tournament.
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| Berat Gjimshiti while speaking one day before the mach Latvia vs Albania to be played on semptember 9 at "Arena Kombetare" |
“Of course the team has prepared well, we’ve had the time and we are positive. It won’t be easy, but the focus is high. We want the three points to continue our path,” Gjimshiti said.
Reflecting on the first encounter against Latvia, Gjimshiti admitted the team underperformed but stressed that the situation has now changed.
“That wasn’t our best match, we made mistakes, and in today’s football, you don’t win as easily as before. Even the big teams struggle — we saw the Netherlands only manage a 3-2 win over Lithuania. But tomorrow I believe it will be different, because everything is still in our hands and we absolutely need the three points,” he noted.
The red-and-black captain also delivered a clear message to both fans and teammates:
“We will give 100%. Our dream is World Cup qualification, a historic achievement for Albania. Just as we reached the European Championship twice, now we want to take the big step forward. Tomorrow we will be ready, and I hope the fans enjoy this match.”
Asked about the team’s motivation following the underwhelming friendly against Gibraltar, Gjimshiti clarified that the atmosphere is now completely different.
“Against Gibraltar, some new players featured, it was just a test. But tomorrow is a different reality. The motivation is very high, and this is the best chance we have to reach the World Cup,” he emphasized.
Finally, Gjimshiti acknowledged that Latvia may approach the match with a more defensive mindset compared to Serbia, but expressed confidence in Albania’s ability to adapt.
“They know their strengths, they are a difficult opponent. We must show quality and concentration to get the result we want,” the captain concluded.