The final round of the group stage of the League of Nations, which in many ways sums up the tenure of Sergei Rebrov at the head of the Ukrainian national team. I no longer want to talk about some kind of “life and death” matches. The only thing that is certain is that not winning the game with the Albanian “eagles” will directly send us to Division C. And this, let’s be as frank as possible, is a total failure!
Thus, in the sixth round of Group B1, the “blue-yellows” will visit the Albanian national team under the leadership of Brazilian specialist Sylvinho. The first face-to-face meeting in this cycle was left to the Albanians – in September we lost to the “Reds” with a score of 1:2.
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Round six of the 2024/25 UEFA Nations League group stage
Group 1, Division B
Tuesday, November 19th
Albania, Tirana. “Combetare Arena”
Referee: João Pinheiru (Portugal)
Albania 21:45 Ukraine
Text online broadcast of the match – match center UA-Football >>> | video broadcast: RAINBOW
Albania: latest news
In fact, objectively, Albanians are in no way inferior to the same Georgians and Czechs. Absolutely. The last two matches of the “eagles” only proved this. In October, Sylvinho’s team defeated Willy Sagnol’s Georgian team on the road (1:0), and recently recorded a goalless draw with Ivan Hasek’s Czech Republic. A draw that gives us our last hope…
To ensure the playoffs for maintaining their residence in Division B, the Albanians only need to not lose to us. However, we are sure that the Brazilian coach and his players are determined to take away exactly three credits from us. Therefore, no one will retreat, what are we even talking about!
Albania is a strong team that can surprise anyone. Who else but us should know this, heh. It was to the “red” that we lost in the first round of the current Nations League. Moreover, let us remind you that the “blue-yellows” were the first to open the scoring in that meeting – Konoplya scored. However, in the end, the “eagles” staged a victorious comeback in Prague.
The strongest side of teams like this Albanian national team is, in a good football sense, game aggression. The Eagles do not spare themselves or their opponents. And for us this component can just become a problem. The Blue-Yellows must go into this meeting with as cool a head as possible and not give in to the play of emotions or rhythms.
Of course, the home stands will also play on the Albanians’ side, pushing Sylvinho’s charges forward and motivating them to fight. This could become the Eagles’ main trump card. The main thing for Ukrainians is to withstand this pressure from the 12th player.
Approximate composition of the Albanian national team: Strakosha, Balyu, Ismaili, Ayeti, Mitai, Ramadani, Aslani, Asani, Lachi, Bayrami, Tutsi.
Ukraine: latest news
Well, here we come to the final fight in every sense, which in any case will give answers to all questions. This will no longer be just a demonstration meeting, but in the most literal sense a decisive one! Any explanations and justifications in case of not winning will be of absolutely no interest to anyone. That’s right from the word.
In essence and in fact, we are approaching this confrontation practically in our combat frame. The best we have. Everyone needs to prove it. Both the players and the coaching staff. Ambition, level, class and professionalism. No one will be happy for sure, but at the last moment it is simply vital to “save” face and dignity. I’m only interested in winning.
Can we get a positive result? Yes we can, why not. Albania – with all due respect, this is not some kind of mastodon and giant of European football. However, how we love to complicate things for ourselves. Fortunately, as the last match with the Georgians showed, there is at least some progress. Not everywhere, of course. However, the Blue-Yellows have noticeably improved in organization and structure. There have been significantly fewer outright “fires” in our own penalty area and kilometer-long explosions behind our own backs. And the mood, dedication and approach to “rough” work have definitely improved, this is noticeable.
On the other hand, in attack and combination play everything depends on the individual actions of individual players. First of all, in this aspect we are talking about Mudrik and Dovbik. And if the former is indeed the most noticeable in the country’s first team recently, then the top scorer of last season in La Liga, it feels like he is simply disappearing on the field.
Therefore, a lot in the final result, as well as in our game, will depend on the combination of certain circumstances. It will be great to be able to play reliably in defense without losing concentration and take advantage of your chances ahead. If not, traditionally, there will be problems. Here’s how to solve them further…
There will definitely not be an ideological breakthrough. This will definitely be the same Rebrov team. A bet and hope for a certain luck. That’s it. Because if it was not possible to form some kind of coherent picture and formation before this, then it is not clear how it will appear in a few days.
There is a chance to relatively improve the situation. A wonderful chance, a gift from fate. But, in any case, the majority will have a certain aftertaste and aftertaste from the matches of the Ukrainian national team in this cycle of the League of Nations. We can only believe in victory, which is what we will do. How could it be otherwise?
“I think we have a good team now and a good balance between young players and experienced players. In my opinion, this team has a great future. They are all high-level players and should show their best in the match for the national team. At this level they reach field and playing against the best players of the best teams, it is not an easy challenge. I don’t think they are playing poorly or fading away. Tomorrow we are playing against Albania, they are a top team, most of their players have played at the Euros and most of them play in the top leagues. “, said Sergei Stanislavovich before the match with the Albanians.
Approximate composition of the Ukrainian national team: Trubin, Konoplia, Matvyenko, Zabarny, Mykolenko, Brazhko, Sudakov, Shaparenko, Mudryk, Hutsulyak, Yaremchuk.
Albania – Ukraine. Personal meetings
The victory of the Albanian “eagles” in the first round of the group stage of this League of Nations was their first in the history of head-to-head confrontations with the Ukrainians. In general, a clear and obvious statistical advantage is on the side of the “blue-yellows”.
Statistics of head-to-head matches:
- Wins: 1:5
- Goals scored: 6:14
- Average goals per match: 0.86 – 2.00
- Biggest win: 2:0 – 1:4
Albania – Ukraine. Latest official matches
Albania:
Ukraine:
Team standings
In Quartet B1, absolutely everything will be decided in the last round. Everyone has a chance at everything except us. We can either fly to division C or get a ticket to the playoffs for the right to compete in the elite. One thing is for sure – we will no longer be able to directly rise to division A.
Albania – Ukraine. Bet and odds
Albania – Ukraine. Forecast for the match from UA-Football
Victory 1:2. On paper, bookmakers give a slight advantage to the “blue-yellows”. In fact, at this stage the teams of Silvinho and Rebrov are as close as possible in terms of class and level of performers. The tournament position won’t let you lie, that’s for sure.
It will be difficult, it will be incredibly difficult. Both sides need a win. With a certain amount of football luck, everything can work out for us, but we really need to give our all (!) of ourselves on the field. And not even that – to give 200%! Once again we just have to believe, eh.
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