SempreInter.Com
·20 November 2024
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Yahoo sportsSempreInter.Com
·20 November 2024
Inter Milan midfielder Kristjan Asllani addressed the media after Ukraine squeezed past Albania 2-1 in last night’s UEFA Nations League game.
During his post-match chat with Supersport via FCInterNews, the 22-year-old admitted his side performed below expectations in Tirana.
Albania and Ukraine squared off in a ‘make or break’ Group B1 clash on Tuesday evening.
However, Sylvinho’s team couldn’t have imagined a worse way to kick things off.
Indeed, goals from Oleksandr Zinchenko and Roman Yaremchuk saw Ukraine go 2-0 up ten minutes into the match.
There was no way back for the home side despite Nedim Bajrami’s consolation strike in the 75th minute.
As a result of their third loss in their last five outings, the Albanians have suffered automatic relegation to League C.
Such a frustrating result didn’t sit well with Inter star Kristjan Asllani.
“We started the game very poorly; at home, you can’t concede two goals in the first ten minutes,” he admitted after the loss.
“These things happen in football, but the match shouldn’t have gone this way. In the first half, we struggled a lot without the ball.
“I think it was our worst performance because we had many issues. In the second half, we changed formation, and the game shifted.
“Today, we wanted to take points, if not a win, at least a draw. But football is like this, and we’ll improve.
“At halftime, the coach didn’t say much; it was more about the opponent changing their approach.
“In the first half, we had so many problems – they were always free, and we were chasing shadows.
“In the second half, we mostly went one-on-one, and they became hesitant.
“I’m really disappointed because we could’ve at least earned a point.
“As for the Czech Republic? It was a different type of match. The Czechs played with long balls and were a physical team but also technical.
“We struggled when they had possession.”