Albania successfully concluded the second challenge in the Nations League, defeating San Marino 3-0 and taking six full points from the first two matches. The Red and Blacks practically solved the match in the first half, while after the break the pace dropped and the team focused more on managing the advantage. This was precisely the choice of coach Rolando Maran, who admitted after the match that in the second half his thoughts were also oriented towards the next challenge with Finland.
The Italian coach did not hide that he expected more in terms of goals, but praised the team's performance and the way it controlled the match. "I liked the first half, while in the second half we were more in control. We had players who had returned from injury and others who had fewer minutes. In the second half we had our minds on Finland and I believe we did well," said Maran.
The Albanian coach stressed that the team had created enough to score more than three goals. The Reds registered 14 shots on goal, while San Marino had very few opportunities to threaten the Albanian goal. “The second half was more management. San Marino can have one chance in a match, while we had 14 shots on goal. We could have done even more and scored more. But I believe we played a good match,” Maran declared.
The coach's focus is also on the process of building a team with a clear identity. Maran admits that Albania may not be among the greatest national teams in world football, but he appreciates the qualities it has at its disposal and, above all, the way the players are adapting to his ideas. "We may not be one of the top national teams in the world, but we have players with good qualities. As far as I've noticed, on eight occasions they have understood my philosophy. It's a national team that has rhythm and that's what I like," said the Italian coach.
One of the special moments of the evening was Rey Manaj's goal, which scored Albania's third goal and sealed the victory. Maran revealed that he had considered substituting the striker a little earlier, but Manaj himself had asked him to stay on the field for a few more minutes. The decision turned out to be right, as the striker managed to find the net. "I wanted to substitute him a little earlier, he asked me for a few minutes and I saw him. It was his moment and he scored," said Maran.
With six points in two matches and a 5-0 goal difference, Albania closes this first phase of the Nations League in a favorable position, while the next challenge will be against Finland, a match that is expected to provide a clearer picture of the continuity of the red and blacks in the group.
