Captain Gjimshiti: “We Want First Place and Dream of a Third European Championship”

Ahead of Albania’s match against Belarus, captain Berat Gjimshiti joined head coach Rolando Maran at the press conference. The defender spoke about the mood in the squad, the time the players have had to work on the coach’s ideas, and Albania’s ambitions in the Nations League.

Gjimshiti said he found the team in good shape. The extra days together have helped the players understand and practise Maran’s approach after a summer in which their time with the new coach was limited.

“I’ve found the squad in very good shape. We needed these days to learn and practise the coach’s ideas. There is a very positive spirit in the national team,” the captain said.

He also welcomed Etrit Berisha’s return, describing the goalkeeper as an experienced player who can help the younger members of the squad. The two know each other well from their time playing together in Italy.

“We Will Stand Together in Victory and Defeat”

Gjimshiti made no promise about the result against Belarus. Instead, he promised commitment and unity throughout the campaign.

“We will give our maximum. We will all stand together, in victory and in defeat. We want first place,” he said.

For the captain, the Nations League campaign is also part of a larger ambition: giving Albania the chance to reach a third European Championship. He recalled the disappointment of missing out on the World Cup after the match against Poland, but said the team must continue to aim as high as possible.

“Mentality matters enormously when you step onto the pitch, because everything starts in your head,” Gjimshiti said. How Albania handles pressure and difficult moments, in his view, will matter as much as its tactical preparation.

Three Defenders or Four? Maran Will Decide

Asked how Albania might line up, Gjimshiti did not reveal a formation. He said he has worked under different coaches and played in different systems throughout his career, and has spoken extensively with Maran about tactics.

The captain believes the chosen system should suit the players on the pitch and give the team its best chance of success. Whether Albania plays with three or four defenders will ultimately be the coach’s decision.

Gjimshiti Explains His Move to Saudi Arabia

Gjimshiti also discussed his decision to continue his club career in Saudi Arabia. Joking that he might have “opened the way for Asllani,” he then explained that the move was a decision made by him and Atalanta together.

He challenged the idea that the Saudi league is easy. According to Gjimshiti, the arrival of many talented players from Europe has raised its standard. For a defender, he added, facing a well-known striker in almost every match presents a considerable challenge.

Ahead of Maran’s first official game in charge, the captain’s message was clear: Albania is aiming for first place, and the path towards that goal begins with hard work, focus and shared responsibility on the pitch.