The injury that forced midfielder Hakan Çalhanoglu to miss Inter's last three matches had worried quite a few Nerazzurri fans. However, his absence had a positive side: Kristjan Asllani, called up to replace him, had the chance to play as a starter in some crucial matches (against Lecce, Atalanta, and Genoa), delivering very positive performances and even scoring a goal last Monday, his first in Serie A with the Nerazzurri jersey.
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| Armand Duka in his office, Tirana, March 5, 2024, Tirana |
The President of the Albanian Football Federation, Armand Duka, gave an interview to the Italian media "SPORTITALIA" where he talked about the Albanian star of Inter, as well as the return to the field after the long injury of Marash Kumbulla and the preferred player of Gasperini at Atalanta, Berat Gjimshiti.
Asllani scores a goal after some excellent performances: he rivals a player like Çalhanoglu, but does he now prove that he is a suitable player for Inter?
Firstly, I want to say that I was very happy for Asllani's first goal in Serie A with Inter. He has worked hard to get here, and I think he fully deserves this beautiful moment he's experiencing. Especially since he competes with players of Çalhanoglu's caliber in Inter's midfield or other stars.
Could he also become a great midfielder like those he plays with at Inter?
I have said it in the past and I repeat it: Kristjan is still young; he has extraordinary potential, high technical abilities, and the right qualities to become a great player. The fact that he is shining with Inter now clearly shows he is a great talent. Seeing his continuous improvement, I was convinced that as soon as he got the opportunity to show his worth at Inter, he would seize it to the fullest, and that's what happened.
What is his next objective now?
Now I hope he continues with this momentum and plays as much as possible, continues to grow, and of course, is in form for the Euro 2024 finals. I have one piece of advice for him: to enjoy this moment but stay grounded, keep his feet on the ground, and work even harder to improve in every aspect.
In the current context of Inter's midfield, do you still see Asllani on the rise?
Kristjan has great hunger and determination to reach the top. Moving to a big club like Inter at a young age had many risks, but he managed to maintain the right balance.
And how do you think he did that?
His determination to stay at Inter, where the competition, especially in midfield, is very high, and when everyone thought he should transfer to another team to get more playing time, confirmed his belief and confidence in his abilities. He showed great patience and maturity, worked hard, didn't get demoralized, and waited for chances to play. Now he has the right maturity to play regularly with Inter, and with his recent performances, he's putting pressure on coach Inzaghi. Surely, Asllani is in good form and deserves more minutes. That's why I compared him to a football star...
Who are you referring to?
I mean Luka Modrić: I believe Asllani will become a great player. His primary objective is to become a starter at Inter, and I think he's on the right path.
At Atalanta, almost everyone undergoes the rotation process between the field and the bench, but Gjimshiti rarely experiences this. What do you think about him?
Berat Gjimshiti is the captain of the Albanian National Team, and he fully deserves the armband for his excellent contribution on the field with the red and black jersey. He is an outstanding young man and a world-class footballer who has the characteristics of a true leader on the field.
I am not at all surprised by his positive performance and the fact that he is an indisputable starter at Atalanta. He is also one of the main pillars of the National Team. He deserves everything because he is a complete footballer and has worked hard to get here.
His growth in recent seasons has been gradual, stable, and significant. He manages to deliver a consistently positive performance in every game, both with the club and with the Albanian National Team. Something rare for a professional footballer. I hope he continues to play at high levels for as long as possible.
Have you spoken to Kumbulla since his return to the field? Will he be ready for the Euro 2024 finals?
I'm glad he's back on the field after that serious injury he suffered last year. It was heartbreaking, and as soon as I heard the news, I wished him a speedy recovery. He is one of the promising youngsters of the Albanian National Team and an important player for us. I believe he made the right decision to transfer to Sassuolo, where he can get more playing time. Kumbulla is an ambitious young man, and I am confident that he will work hard to regain his previous form and be ready for the Euro 2024 finals. He has enough time to recover the lost time due to the injury and prepare himself better. We can't wait to have him back in the National Team to contribute with his red and black jersey.
In the Euro 2024 finals, Albania is in a group with Italy, Croatia, and Spain. Can they surprise everyone?
First of all, Albania should enjoy this participation in the Euro 2024 finals to the fullest. The players and the coaching staff have done an excellent job in the qualifying campaign and fully deserve this success.
That being said, we go to Euro 2024 to give our best and challenge every opponent, regardless of facing big names in world football. When you go to the finals of a major tournament, it's normal to face the strongest teams.
How much chance do you see for Albania in this group?
The draw has put us against former World and European champions, Italy and Spain, but also Croatia, another big name. Talking about the strength of these opponents is pointless; their history clearly shows who they are.
But I believe we have a good team, we have many qualities, and we have the opportunities to try to advance from the group. Surprises are common in football now, and it wouldn't be surprising if Albania advances from the group. I hope we have all the players available, they are in good form, and we don't have any injuries.
One thing is certain: the players will be fully charged to do well in this tournament. We will also have the unparalleled support of our fantastic fans, who will fill the stadiums with red and black colors and will motivate the National Team on the field, just as they did in Euro 2016.