According to everything that has been seen in these days of preparation, it will be a different Albania that will take the field against Belarus. In the debut in the Nations League, Rolando Maran is oriented to use new faces, from the usual ones of the starting lineup of the Rossoneri. As if leaving out Armando Broja and Nedim Bajrami was not enough, even Klinsman Cake did not manage to be on the field against the Belarusians, just like Ivan Balliu. Then the technician had to do the math with some of those who never play, thus facing a big dilemma, whether to bench Mario Mitaj who has not seen the field since he was transferred to Genoa to give him the starting jersey of Stavro Pilos.
In goal, Etrit Berisha is certain, having returned after years of absence from the national team. There are no doubts about the Gjimshiti-Ismajli center duo either, with Hysaj having no rivals on the right and Pilo favored over Mitaj. The return of Kristjan Asllani in the last official training session has increased the midfielder's quota, but it is not excluded that he will start from the bench with Shehu and Ramadan in front of the defense.
In support of Rei Manaj, there are also the strongest changes. Maran chose to leave Kerjota and Hasa in the stands, preferring Samuele Sina and Klevi Qefaliaj in the team ranks. But these choices were almost forced on the national team coach. Sina was chosen as an alternative in defense, after Cake was finally left out for this match due to injury. Only Kumbulla remained available for the center of defense, who is not in the best condition as he has not played for a long time, so Maran decided to keep the 19-year-old who is playing regularly for Union Brescia in Italy. The same discussion applies to Qefaliaj, who was preferred over names like Hasa and Kerjota, or even Fetai who would be alternatives for the offensive phase, since the players in the center of midfield are missing due to the injuries of Laçi and Pajaziti. Thus, Ernest Muçi will be the team's fantasy, while Hoxha on the left and Seferi on the right will support the center of attack.
