Albania will be looking to qualify for their second major tournament when they host Moldova. Group E remains devilishly tight through, and a win for the hosts would blow the group wide open.
Preview (Moldova vs. Albania)
Group E’s two games will have a significant impact on whether there is anything or nothing to play for on Monday. Either way, there are a lot of possibilities in this highly interesting group. Albania is clearly in the lead and needs just one point to qualify for either this match against Moldova or this one against the Faroe Islands the following week. If Moldova were to lose this game, they would need to draw with Poland in the other group match. If they won against the Czechs the following week, they would advance to play Albania. In the event that Moldova triumphs and a tie occurs in Warsaw, Sergei Clescenco’s team would require only a score draw in the Czech Republic.
If Poland and Moldova both win on Friday, there will only be two points separating the four countries. It makes this one of the closest qualifying groups in recent memory. There will be an anti-climax on the last matchday for the neutral team, though, if Moldova loses against Albania and the Czech Republic wins in Poland it would see Sylvinho’s team advance alongside the Czechs. Albania will consequently be incredibly confident considering their two favorable matches. Their past performance against the group’s more formidable opponents. Though they enter this month’s internationals fresh from victories over Poland and Czechia. Neither team has demonstrated many consistent patterns of play.
However, Albania is the only team that can say they have been consistent. After losing in Poland on matchday one, they have collected 13 of a possible 15 points. Their run of 12 games without a win ended with that loss in Warsaw, but Sylvinho—who was aided by Pedro Zabaleta and Duria—seems to have made a significant impact since he just assumed command in the match against Poland. After their impressive performance at Euro 2016, they are almost certain to qualify for a second major tournament.
Team News
Manager Clescenco may have stuck with the same lineup from the team that surprised Poland last month since he has selected the same set of players who have performed so well for him thus far in this campaign. Ion Nicolaescu, a striker for Heerenveen, made his injury comeback just in time for his nation. He had not played since the game against Poland. Last weekend he made a 12-minute cameo against Vitesse when he scored the game-winning third goal. The 25-year-old has been Moldova’s key player in the division. They have netted three goals in their two games against Poland and the equalizer against the Faroes.
Surprisingly, Armando Broja is not included in the Albanian team, even though he just returned from an injury with Chelsea. They might also stay mostly unchanged since, like his rival, Sylvinho has chosen to persist with the team that has led Albania to the verge of qualification. Arlind Ajeti has withdrawn due to injury, joining fellow defenders Marsh Kumbulla and Enea Mihaj on the sidelines. This means they will have to make at least one change. Since Ardian Ismajli is expected to start for the visitors, Albania will probably open with seven players from Serie A.
Moldova 0 – 2 Albania
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