Albania will play a World Cup play-off match against Poland tomorrow in Warsaw. Head coach Sylvinho and captain Berat Gjimshiti spoke at a press conference ahead of the game, which will start at 20:45 at “PGE Narodowy” stadium.

First, the national team traveled to Warsaw on Wednesday. Then, they completed their final training session.

Next, Sylvinho praised the Polish team, their coach, and their players. He said our team has improved a lot since 2023. He also called this match one of the most important in his career.

However, he has not decided the starting lineup yet. He stressed that anything can happen in 90 minutes.

Moreover, he said this could be one of the most important matches in Albania’s history.

Then, he addressed the absences. He said the team has grown a lot.
“We have players who can play on the wings and in the center. It is true that we miss 2–3 players. However, based on the players’ qualities, we cannot complain. I understand the pressure. We are not surprised. We have a strong team,” he said.

After that, he spoke about Muçi and Mehmeti. He confirmed first contact with them on Monday. He added that they have trained several times.
“It is too early to decide how we will use them. However, they are players who can score. Therefore, we must adapt to the situation. If we put them on the field, they can help the team a lot,” he said.

Furthermore, Sylvinho analyzed Poland. He said they do not dominate possession. However, they are very strong in transition.
“They had good matches against the Netherlands. Also, they are used to playing in the Euros and World Cup. In transition, they can score easily. In addition, their coach Jan Urban has built a good team. Meanwhile, we have improved a lot in the last three years,” he said.

When asked about the importance of the match, he referred to Euro 2016 and 2024 finals. He also mentioned the match against Serbia.
“Yes, I believe this is one of the most important matches,” he said.

Finally, he spoke about the pressure.
“Will I sleep tonight? I have not slept for two months,” he said.

In conclusion, he emphasized the role of fans. He said they are a key part of the team’s strength. He added that the match will be very difficult. Therefore, the team must avoid mistakes and stay focused. He also noted that this game is different from the one two years ago. Still, he expects a great match, where anything can happen in 90 minutes.

Sylvinho has not revealed the official lineup for tomorrow’s match against Poland.

/a.c/