Albania National Football Team Formation

Starting Lineup

Daku · Uzuni · Muçi (Ose Bajrami, Asani) · Sherri (Ose Strakosha) · Gjimshiti · Kumbulla · Ismajli · Mitaj · Balliu · Asllani · Shehu ose Ramadani (Laçi, Bajrami)

Albania relies on a direct and resilient style of play using a 3-5-2 formation. This lineup is built to stay compact and hit teams on the break by using verticality to bypass the center of the park. The team aims to win the second ball and use the presence of their forwards to transition from defense to attack with speed.

Sherri stays between the posts to manage the defensive line. A back three consists of Ismajli, Gjimshiti, and Kumbulla. Gjimshiti sits in the middle to act as the main stopper, while Ismajli and Kumbulla provide cover on either side. Ismajli is expected to be dominant in the air, and Kumbulla must be ready to step up to intercept passes. This defensive unit works to maintain a narrow defensive block to deny space between the lines.

The midfield works in a five man unit to control the center. Balliu and Mitaj act as a double pivot to shield the defense and recycle possession. Asllani and Shehu ose Ramadani occupy the central spaces to connect the defense to the attack, with Asllani looking to carry the ball forward. Muçi plays as an attacking ten behind the strikers to find pockets of space. This midfield group aims to press in a mid-block to force a long ball from the opponent.

Albania utilizes two forwards in a partnership to pressure the opposition back line. Daku acts as the lone striker who can hold up the ball, while Uzuni plays as a second striker in the hole to make runs in behind. The attackers must work together to press from the front and pull wide to stretch the defence. When the team wins the ball, the goal is to find the feet of the striker or play a one-two to break the line.

This formation offers the advantage of numerical superiority in midfield through the central players. Albania can also use the width provided by the wingers to create overloads when the midfielders push up. The compactness when defending makes it difficult for opponents to find gaps in the central zones.

The 3-5-2 formation makes Albania a very difficult side to break down through the middle. It is a setup best suited for games against possession based teams where the goal is to sit deep and counter at pace.