Albania U-21 national team coach Alban Bushi has officially announced the squad for the upcoming friendly match against San Marino, scheduled to take place on October 10 at the “Air Albania” Stadium in Tirana, starting at 17:00 local time. Speaking to fshf.org, the red-and-black coach explained his choices, commented on the absences caused by injuries, and emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline and focus as the team prepares for next year’s UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where Albania will compete as host nation.
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| Alban Bushi speaking to media, Tirana, October 2025 |
Key Absences but New Opportunities
Coach Bushi will have to make do without several key players due to injury, including Rashica, Muça, Alili, and Osmani, all of whom have been vital parts of the squad in recent months.
“These are important players who have been the backbone of the team,” said Bushi. “They are part of our starting lineup and very important for us. It would have been great to have them, because we don’t get to spend a lot of time together as a team. Every training camp is an opportunity to strengthen ourselves — in play, in group spirit, and in atmosphere. But I’m confident in the players who have joined us this time. They are of good quality and will have the chance to show what they can do. The match against San Marino is a great opportunity for them to express their potential.”
Building a Strong Team Mentality
Bushi praised the group’s current spirit and discipline, underlining how crucial every gathering is for developing both tactical and mental cohesion within the team.
“As national team coaches, we face the difficulty that we only get to play once every two months,” he explained. “Players are active in their clubs, but when they come here, I ask them to give 100 percent. The entire U-21 staff spends two months preparing for one game, so there is no room for complacency — not in discipline, not in tactics. The biggest issue can be mental mistakes or underestimating opponents. That’s something we cannot afford. We are a team qualified for the European Championship as hosts, so every friendly match for us is the European Championship. Even against San Marino, it’s like the Euro. This is where we see which player truly deserves to play at the European finals.”
Facing San Marino: No Easy Opponent
While San Marino is considered a modest opponent on paper, Bushi insists that his players must treat the match with the utmost seriousness. “We cannot afford to think any team is easy,” he said. “Every friendly for us is a test of our readiness for the European stage. I want to see how each player responds under pressure and whether they can maintain focus from start to finish.”
He added that the team’s previous matches against Germany and Switzerland proved that Albania U-21 can compete at a high level:
“We’ve played two strong matches against Germany and Switzerland. Despite the results, we were competitive until the 90th minute. That shows that we can stand up to any opponent when we stay organized and concentrated. I’m proud of how quickly this group has adapted and matured. I expected it to take longer, but they’ve developed faster than I thought, and that’s very satisfying.”
The Importance of Fans and Support
Coach Bushi also called on Albanian fans to come to the stadium and support the young national team during their match in Tirana. He highlighted the value of the crowd’s energy, especially as the team continues to build momentum ahead of the Euro tournament next summer.
“The match is in Air Albania Stadium, and the time is perfect,” Bushi said. “I really hope the fans will come. This team is in the European Championship — it deserves support. These young players need to feel that the nation is behind them. Every shout, every applause gives them extra motivation to perform better.”
Looking Ahead to Euro 2025
For Bushi, the upcoming friendly is not just another game — it’s part of a larger preparation process for Euro 2025, where Albania will host Europe’s best U-21 teams. Every lineup, tactical experiment, and individual performance now serves the greater goal of building a competitive and cohesive team ready to shine on home soil.
“Each match helps us evaluate who is ready for the European Championship,” he concluded. “We don’t underestimate anyone, because every friendly is an opportunity to learn, improve, and show the true spirit of Albania.”
With a growing sense of unity, rising young talents, and the strong guidance of Alban Bushi, Albania’s U-21 side is on a clear path forward — building a new generation of players ready to represent the country proudly at the continental level.