England will take on Albania at Wembley Stadium tonight (Friday March 21) at 7.45 p.m.
The Three Lions appointed Thomas Tuchel on the 16th of October 2024. The German manager is held in high regard by many across the footballing world.
The current England boss has a wealth of experience because he has managed some of the most prestigious football clubs in the world such as Paris Saint Germain, Chelsea and Bayern Munich.
The English FA are desperate to win a trophy again after a 59-year drought. Tuchel’s predecessor, Gareth Southgate, drew many critics during his near decade in charge, and Tuchel will not want to be a target of the same criticism.
During his time at the helm, Southgate managed to break the duck by taking the Three Lions to their first final since 1966 by taking on Italy in the Euro 2020 final.
However, the whole nation was distraught and in tears of sadness after losing cruelly in a penalty shootout. Just three years later Southgate had a second bite of the cherry to put his name in the history books.
This time around his energetic, persistent, and resolute England side was going up against Spain in the Euro 2024 final.
The stage was set at the Olympiastadion for the 54-year-old to finally bring the long-awaited trophy home. However, Southgate and his players let the chance slip after getting outclassed and outplayed by a phenomenal and a superior Spanish side.
La Roja put in a magnificent performance on the day and they got the better of the Three Lions by cruising to a 2-1, as Spain became European champions for the fourth time in their history.
Tuchel will be hoping to put England’s miserable history behind them by getting the Three Lions over the line by winning the 2026 World Cup in USA, Canada, and Mexico. His first test as the new boss will come tonight against Albania. The England manager is expected to set up in defence with a back four.
The Albanian National team is managed by Sylvinho. He was a former football player and during his time as a player he played for many clubs including three gigantic and historic ones in the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal and Barcelona.
In fact, the former left-back was the first Brazilian to play in the Premier League after he joined Arsenal all the way back in 1999.
His best achievement since taking over as the Albanian manager in January 2023 was taking the country to the European Championships for just the second time in their history.
Albania finished last in the “ group of death” that contained Italy, Spain and Croatia and picked up one point out of a possible nine.
The poor run of form continued for the Eagles after they finished last in their Nations League group and got relegated to League C.
The visitors come into this game with a poor run of form after only winning three of their last 10 games in all competitions.
Throughout his time with Albania, Sylvinho has predominantly used a 4-2-3-1 formation. The Brazilian has come under a lot of scrutiny for his tactical set-up.
During Euro 2024 and the Nations League matches the current manager played a very defensive style of football.
In Albania a lot of fans have expressed their frustration with Sylvinho’s tactics and they believe that he needs to play a more attacking style of football.
Some also believe that he needs to give players like Ernest Muci, Arber Xoxha and others more opportunities to showcase their qualities.
Coming into this game Albania have a massive gap to fill after their established left back and consistent starter Mario Mitaj is out due to injury.
Naser Aliji who has featured 26 times for Dinamo Tirana in the Albanian Superliga is expected to take his place and start right from the get-go today.
Two of Albania’s centre backs Marash Kumbulla and Adrian Ismajli who play for Espanyol and Empoli respectively are doubtul coming into this game.
There is a chance that the experienced veteran Arlind Ajeti could start next to Berat Djimsiti (who is Albania’s captain) in a two-man centre-back partnership.
The Red and Blacks have a tall mountain to climb and will look to do the impossible by doing everything in their power to get a historic result against England at Wembley.
