Rey Manaj wants another face from the National Team in the Nations League challenges. The red and black striker admits that in the June friendlies the team was not at its best, while now the message is clear: everyone must give 100 percent, with the final objective being the European Championship. The striker returns to the National Team with a clear message: the June friendlies cannot be compared to the challenges that await the red and blacks in the Nations League.
The Albanian striker admits that at that time the team was not in the same condition, as the season had ended and the players' minds were on vacation. But not only that. The loss to Poland and the failure to achieve the objective had also affected psychologically. "The last two friendly matches are different from the ones we have now, because they were at the end of the season and all the players were thinking about the holidays after a long season. Plus, we came after the match with Poland and we were all upset about not achieving the objective."
Now, according to Manaj, the situation is different and the National Team should aim for the top of the group. But the striker puts the Nations League in the service of an even greater objective. "The real team will be this Nations League and we must give our best to reach the top of the group."
And the final objective is clearly defined: the European Championship.
"Our main objective is to qualify for the European Championship. Now we have the Nations League, but our real objective is the European Championship." Words spoken by Manaj, who is not afraid of rivalry for a starting spot, but Manaj sees competition as a positive factor for the National Team. "Rivalry is a good thing. When you know you will play in all the matches, you are not fully motivated. We are here in the National Team and everyone will play."
As for the absence of Armando Broja and Nedim Bajrami, Manaj does not want to enter into the coach's decisions. He emphasizes that every footballer should seize the moment when he receives the invitation. "Every player who comes to the National Team has his own values. The National Team is a high level and has many options. The coach makes his own choices, while football is also a matter of the moment. Everyone who comes here must give 100%."
A clear message from Manaj: what happened in June is a thing of the past. Now, in the Nations League, the Rossoneri are looking for a different rhythm and, above all, a different mentality, with their eyes on the top of the group and the major objective, the European Championship.
