The Albania U-17 national football team is gearing up for two highly anticipated friendly matches against their Slovenian counterparts, a crucial step in their preparations for the upcoming UEFA U-17 European Championship qualifiers. Head Coach Fatjon Tafaj has officially announced his 21-player squad, a blend of domestic and European talent, marking a significant moment for the team as they enter the final phase of their training. The squad will gather today in Tirana to begin preparations for the matches, which will take place on October 9 and 11 at the "House of Football" (Shtëpia e Futbollit) in Albania, with both games scheduled for an 11:00 AM kick-off.
A Crucial Test Against Slovenia
The decision to face Slovenia U-17 in two consecutive friendlies is a strategic move by the Albanian Football Association (FSHF) and Coach Tafaj. These matches represent the last preparatory tests for the U-17 National Team before they embark on the first round of the European Championship qualifiers. Playing a strong, organized opponent like Slovenia provides an invaluable opportunity for the young "Red and Blacks" to test their tactical setups, build team cohesion, and experience the intensity of international competition.
The importance of these fixtures cannot be overstated. They are a final chance for the coaching staff to assess the players under match conditions, fine-tune their strategy, and solidify the starting lineup that will carry Albania's hopes in the qualifiers. The focus will be on transitioning from the training pitch to competitive scenarios, ensuring the players are both mentally and physically prepared for the challenges ahead.
Coach Tafaj’s Selection: A Blend of Domestic and International Talent
Coach Fatjon Tafaj, known for his commitment to developing young talent, has meticulously selected a 21-player roster that reflects a balanced mix of players from within Albania and those developing their skills across Europe's top leagues. This approach is fundamental to the modern strategy of the FSHF, which seeks to integrate the best Albanian talent, regardless of where they play their club football, to form the strongest possible national team.
The squad features nine players active in the youth teams within Albania, providing a strong local core with familiarity with the domestic football environment. The remaining twelve players are sourced from age-group teams in Europe, bringing a wealth of experience from different footballing cultures and higher-level competition. This diverse mix is expected to elevate the team's overall quality and depth, fostering a competitive and dynamic environment within the squad.
The friendly matches will be held at the "House of Football" (Shtëpia e Futbollit), a venue that provides a professional and familiar setting for the young players. Both games are scheduled to kick off at the same time, 11:00 AM, emphasizing consistency in the preparation schedule.
Deep Dive into the U-17 Roster
The roster, a testament to the talent pipeline for Albanian football, highlights several promising prospects. The squad breakdown by position and club affiliation, as announced by the FSHF, shows a fascinating blend of clubs from Serie A, the Bundesliga, the Premier League, and domestic Albanian clubs, demonstrating the wide net cast by Coach Tafaj.
Goalkeepers (Portier):
The goalkeeping trio is anchored by Simon Lleshi from Inter and Klejton Uruci from Bologna, showcasing Italy's role in developing Albanian keepers. Their European experience will be vital in providing a solid defensive foundation.
Defenders (Mbrojtës):
The defense features players from highly reputable European academies. Enea Bilishti (Union Brescia) and Kostantinos Vareisis (Fiorentina) offer a good mix of defensive skills. The inclusion of Dennis Ettore Pierro from Torino and Emiljano Malko from Bayern L. (Bayern Munich) underscores the high-level training these players receive, which will be critical in neutralizing Slovenia's attacks. Local talent like Frensi Mali and Robin Balla, both from Partizani, and Xhoel Mezani (Empoli) complete the defensive line, blending European tactical rigor with domestic resilience.
Midfielders (Mesfushor):
The midfield is arguably the engine room of the team, and Tafaj has ensured it has both grit and creativity. The inclusion of Armend Muslika from Tottenham is particularly exciting, as the young player from the Premier League academy brings a high-tempo and technical style of play. Orges Halili (Vllaznia) and Mattias Allasufi (Pro Patria) provide domestic and near-European stability. Vata Dion (Partizani) and Petro Marku (Bylis) are key domestic players who will be central to ball retention and distribution.
Forwards (Sulmues):
The attack features players ready to convert opportunities into goals. Ermal Ymeri from Brommapojkarna and Majkol Luka from Fiorentina are expected to lead the line with their European-gained sharpness. They are complemented by Alvin Mahmutaj (Apolonia), Sokol Uldedaj (Vllaznia), and the Partizani duo of Elson Himallari and Dionis Peraj. This forward unit will be tasked with providing the offensive firepower needed to secure positive results.
The Road Ahead: U-17 European Championship Qualifiers
These friendlies are more than just warm-up games; they are the final litmus test before the UEFA U-17 European Championship qualifiers begin. The preparation phase, which culminated in these Slovenia fixtures, is designed to ensure the team is in peak condition, both physically and psychologically, for the challenges of a qualification tournament.
The experience gained from playing two competitive matches in quick succession—mirroring the schedule of the qualification group stage—will be invaluable. It will test the squad’s depth, fitness levels, and ability to recover and adapt between games. Coach Tafaj's main goal remains to build a cohesive, high-quality group capable of competing effectively at the European level. The players who seize this opportunity to impress against Slovenia will likely form the backbone of the squad for the upcoming qualifiers.
For Albanian football fans, these two October dates represent a significant moment. It’s a chance to see the future of the "Kuqezinjtë" (Red and Blacks) in action and to gauge their readiness for the international stage. All eyes will be on the "House of Football" as the next generation of Albanian stars look to secure a crucial psychological advantage before the competitive action begins.
Full Albania U-17 Squad for Slovenia Friendlies
| Nr | Emër (First Name) | Mbiemër (Last Name) | Pozicioni (Position) | Ekipi (Club) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goalkeepers (Portier) | ||||
| 1 | Simon | Lleshi | Portier | Inter |
| 2 | Klejton | Uruci | Portier | Bologna |
| Defenders (Mbrojtës) | ||||
| 3 | Enea | Bilishti | Mbrojtës | Union Brescia |
| 4 | Kostantinos | Vareisis | Mbrojtës | Fiorentina |
| 5 | Frensi | Mali | Mbrojtës | Partizani |
| 6 | Dennis Ettore | Pierro | Mbrojtës | Torino |
| 7 | Emiljano | Malko | Mbrojtës | Bayern L. |
| 8 | Robin | Balla | Mbrojtës | Partizani |
| 9 | Xhoel | Mezani | Mbrojtës | Empoli |
| Midfielders (Mesfushor) | ||||
| 10 | Orges | Halili | Mesfushor | Vllaznia |
| 11 | Mattias | Allasufi | Mesfushor | Pro Patria |
| 12 | Kledi | Qosja | Mesfushor | Catanzaro |
| 13 | Dion | Vata | Mesfushor | Partizani |
| 14 | Armend | Muslika | Mesfushor | Tottenham |
| 15 | Petro | Marku | Mesfushor | Bylis |
| Forwards (Sulmues) | ||||
| 16 | Ermal | Ymeri | Sulmues | Brommapojkarna |
| 17 | Majkol | Luka | Sulmues | Fiorentina |
| 18 | Alvin | Mahmutaj | Sulmues | Apolonia |
| 19 | Sokol | Uldedaj | Sulmues | Vllaznia |
| 20 | Elson | Himallari | Sulmues | Partizani |
| 21 | Dionis | Peraj | Sulmues | Partizani |