As the European Championships kicks off, Albania's manager Silvinho confidently predicted that the opening match will put an unprecedented psychological pressure on the Italian team. He asserted that despite the ups and downs of Albania's qualifying campaign, the team has sharpened its edge and is determined to give its best in the Euro arena.
Silvinho further noted that Italy, the long-standing nation of soccer, has always maintained a strong competitive streak. He cited the draw between Brazil and Switzerland in the 2018 World Cup as a warning to Italy that if they fail to win their first match, they fear that their subsequent journey will be a difficult one.
However, Silvinho also admitted that although Albania is not under as much pressure as Italy, the team is also caught up in the tension of the tournament. He revealed that the team is in good health and that the players are fully committed and motivated on the training ground.
Talking about his personal coaching career, Silvinho recalled his coaching years in Italy with a lot of emotion, saying that he benefited a lot from his time as assistant coach of Inter Milan and praised the tactical system of Italian soccer.
With the clock ticking towards the European Championships, Silvinho and his Albanian team are ready to go and they are looking forward to showing their strength in the fierce competition against the likes of Italy and other greats.
