“This Spain is a pleasure for all of us football fans.”

Sabaleta, who lives in Barcelona After playing for San Lorenzo, Espanyol and Manchester City, he played 58 times for Argentina. The parrot club brought him across the pond in 2005 and three seasons and the UEFA final later, he sold it to the Prime Minister. Still in the City legendary football player.

How did Zabaleta get to Silvinho’s Albania?

After four years of retirement, I was already looking to enter this world of coaching. I met Sylvinho one year playing for Manchester City and from that moment on I had a very good friendship. My job is to filter a lot of information for him, analyze the opponent a lot, prepare tasks in training… But the final decision always remains with Silvio.

What is your assessment of the Albanian tournament at the moment?

Very positive. We lost to Italy but we performed well and had a chance at the end that would have given us a point. And overall we played a great game against Croatia.

And now Spain.

Yes, perhaps the most difficult opponent in the group. I went with Silvio to see Spain-Italy in Gelsenkirchen, which is 40 minutes from Kamen. You always notice different things live. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a team dominate a game so much, including against Italy, which is more difficult.

“As for Yamal, who is not even 17 years old, this is worthy of admiration. “So young and playing with such a personality, he doesn’t worry about the stage.”

Are you that impressed?

A lot of. In all matches there are usually stages when the opponent loses dominance, but in this case Italy failed to do so. Spain dominated from the first minute to the end. They manage so many registers that when you want to hide some quality, they end up looking for another way to get to the top and constantly putting you in danger.

The fact that Spain is already classified should be good news for Albania.

Well, that’s what we discussed, but it doesn’t make much sense. De la Fuente said that Spain are not going to underestimate this match and I am confident that they will come out with the best performance, although Rodri will not be able to play due to suspension. We need to prepare for a better Spain and then we will see if there will be changes. And one more thing: if Joselu and Ferran play… these are also footballers of a huge level.

What do you think about Nico Williams and Yamal?

That Lamin, who is not yet 17 years old, does what he does is very admirable. So young and playing with such personality that he doesn’t worry about the stage that he constantly asks for the ball to be one on one. And the same with Niko, who manages both profiles.

What about the rest of the Spanish team?

Very good. For example, full-backs Carvajal and Cucurella, who were not in the starting lineup until the last moment and won the duel with Chiesa. Spain is a team that brings joy to all of us football fans. Perhaps now he is looking for nuances compared to other Spanish teams, for example, a more vertical game with the speed of these guys.

“Nawas is my age, and when I see him leading the group, I say to myself: what is he made of? “Modrić is another phenomenon.”

Which player would you swap shirts with this Monday if you were still a footballer?

Well… I’ve faced Navas over the years at City and I really appreciate that desire and the physicality with which I continue to see him compete. He’s from ’85, like me, right? There are times when I walk into the rondo with the boys and get shot at, I can’t move. But I see Jesus continuing to drive the group up and down, and I ask: What is it made of? I will try to hug him and congratulate him, because it is very valuable that at his age he continues to compete at the European Championships.

Interesting choice.

Whenever I need a t-shirt, I don’t choose a plain one. Like Luka Modric. I saw him the other day and said, what a phenomenon. It’s incredible that these people have such a desire to play at the highest level.

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