Albania Seek a High-Scoring Win, but Maran Warns: “We Need Patience”

Albania face San Marino aiming for another Nations League victory. Against an opponent expected to defend in numbers, the Red and Blacks want more than three points: they want a convincing performance, ideally with plenty of goals. Head coach Rolando Maran, however, insists the match must not be treated as a formality. Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Maran called for maximum concentration and respect for San Marino. Asked how Albania could settle the contest as quickly as possible, he emphasized patience. “Albania must play a serious match with maximum concentration. These are the kinds of games that help build a team’s mentality. We need particular patience,” Maran said. He added that his staff would prepare for every situation that might arise during the match. A Big Win Starts With Breaking Down the Defense On paper, Albania will look to dominate and score. But the desire for a high-scoring victory could lead to rushed decisions if the opening goal does not come quickly. That is what Maran wants his players to avoid: they must control the game, stay calm and choose the right moments to attack. The coach expects San Marino to defend deep. In his view, moving the ball can draw defenders out of position and open spaces for Albania’s attackers. Careful possession will also matter, as a mistake could make the result more difficult to secure. Maran offered no single formula for the attack. Asked whether Albania should rely on vertical passes or longer spells of possession, he said the team must respond to what happens on the pitch. “What matters is playing the best match we can. We have to read the situations that arise during the game and make the most suitable choices. Depending on the situation, we may also use vertical passes,” he said. A Test of Albania’s Mentality For Maran, the San Marino match is also a chance to see how well his players are absorbing his ideas. He wants them to approach the game with the same attitude regardless of the opponent and to demand more of themselves than a few good passages of play. That means maintaining their intensity if they score early and staying focused if the game remains goalless for a long stretch. A big win would delight the supporters, but the coach’s main measure of progress is whether Albania grow as a team and take every minute seriously. Changes to the Lineup, but Not the Team’s Identity Maran said he has an idea of his starting eleven, but will make his final decision after the last physical assessments. He stressed that the players themselves do not yet know the lineup and that it would be disrespectful for them to learn it through the media. The crowded schedule gives him another reason to consider changes. With four matches close together, Maran said he took each player’s fitness and characteristics into account when selecting the 28-man squad. Albania could therefore field some different players from those who started against Belarus. His message was clear: the personnel may change, but the team’s identity should remain the same. Maran expects every player selected to be motivated and to contribute to the team’s development. Playing for the Albanian Supporters The coach also spoke about the support Albania expect from their fans. He said he had invited several family members to watch, but his attention remains firmly on the match. The presence of Albanian supporters, he added, gives the players an even greater responsibility to make them proud. Albania want the win, and their fans hope for a goal-filled performance. To deliver both, the Red and Blacks will need to follow Maran’s instructions: play seriously, move the ball patiently, exploit the spaces they create and maintain their concentration.