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| Sylvinho at the Air Albania stadium informing the players on the field about the end of the game after three minutes in the victory against the Czech Republic |
"One day with Silvinho," on its official UEFA channel, has dedicated a special report to the Albanian National Team and coach Sylvio Mendes Campos Junior. The moment and the highly successful qualifying edition of the red and black National Team, as well as the fantastic work of the Brazilian coach, have not gone unnoticed.
The report on the UEFA official page begins with a description of Silvinho's career as a player and coach who has contributed in several European countries and in Brazil, his home country.
Coach Silvinho shares his feelings as the helm of Albania on the official UEFA channel and adds that representing a nation is very special for both players and the coach.
"Players should enjoy it and be proud to represent their country; that's the way of working. However, when you represent your country, things change, and it's not the same traditional way of working. You know you have a lot of responsibility to play, and everything has to be done with heart because you represent the nation. This is something special for players and for the coach."
The UEFA report continues with the organization of work by Coach Silvinho and his staff, the construction of the training program, discussions with the players where a positive atmosphere always prevails.
Further on, UEFA evaluates Albania and describes its journey in this qualifying edition as very good. The upcoming match against Moldova is seen as a final, as Albania could secure, for the second time in history, a spot in the finals of a major tournament, the 2024 European Championship in Germany.
In his playing career, Silvinho played under the management of Pep Guardiola and Arsène Wenger, two of the best coaches in history. In the UEFA report, Silvinho describes them as extraordinary.
"Guardiola and Wenger are extraordinary. I don't claim to become like them. I do my job as I think. Football has changed a lot, but I believe in the organization of a team."
Part of the UEFA report also features Elseid Hysaj. Initially, the red and black defender gives his opinion on Silvinho, describing him as one of his favorite coaches.
"I follow him a lot because he's a coach who has given us a lot and always helps us. He's very energetic and gives us a lot of positivity as a group. We needed this a lot because we had a period when there wasn't much positive atmosphere as a team, and we needed a coach like Silvinho to get through the difficult moment. Now he's definitely one of my favorite coaches," says Hysaj.
During a conversation with Coach Silvinho, Elseid Hysaj asks the coach about the evolution of the wingback's role but also about the differences between them.
"It has changed somewhat because it wasn't so tactical back then. Today, there's a lot of tactics in the way of interpreting this role. Move, get inside, clear the ball out of the zone, don't let it come close here, and other tactical advice. Certainly, tactics are important, but back then, it was more of a combination game. You are much more aggressive and much stronger physically. In one-on-one duels, you are much better, as I didn't prefer them much," says Silvinho.
The UEFA report dedicated to Albania's fantastic journey and its coach Silvinho concludes with his words, stating that everything in the National Team is done with heart as they represent the country on the European and world stage. In the end, Silvinho's message is clear: always believe in the players.