Sylvinho Leads Albania to Euro Success

Sylvinho never anticipated finding himself analyzing Wycombe Wanderers matches in League One. Following a meeting with the Albanian FA president in Milan, the former Arsenal, Barcelona and Manchester City full-back agreed to lead the country’s national team. In early 2023, Sylvinho was joined by Pablo Zabaleta and Doriva as his assistants in Tirana. Together, they analyzed 240 clips, narrowing down 70 players to 23 for Albania’s opening match against Poland.

Among the selected players was then Wycombe winger Anis Mehmeti, who had not previously featured for Albania’s senior side. Sylvinho’s rebuilding efforts from day one included calling up Mehmeti, a decision that proved pivotal. After losing their first game, Albania remained undefeated, finishing first in their group and qualifying for the Euros. Sylvinho’s achievement made him a hero as Albania reaches the Euros for the second time.

Sylvinho’s commitment to the role was evident as he chose to live in a hotel in Tirana, leaving his family behind in Porto. This decision allowed him to fully immerse himself in the local identity and remain entirely focused on the work. His aggressive attacking style impressed fans and pundits, particularly for the number of remarkable goals scored by the Albanian team during the qualifiers.

One of Sylvinho’s early challenges was to find a left-footed right winger to fit his preferred 4-3-3 formation. After extensive research, he identified 29-year-old Jasir Asani, who played in South Korea, as a perfect fit. Asani’s impact was significant, as he finished the qualifiers with three goals and two assists, proving to be a valuable addition to the team.

Looking ahead to the Euros, Sylvinho acknowledged the tough draw that placed Albania alongside defending champions Italy, Croatia and Spain. Despite challenges, Albania aims to advance in the tournament and replicate their success from the qualifiers.