Lazio” data-scaytid=”1″>Lazio and Albania defender Lorik Cana is looking forward to Tuesday’s friendly against Italy. “We want to make history.”
The match kicks off at Genoa’s Marassi tomorrow at 19.45 GMT.
Lazio and Albania defender Lorik Cana is looking forward to Tuesday’s friendly against Italy. “We want to make history.”
The match kicks off at Genoa’s Marassi tomorrow at 19.45 GMT.
“In recent years there has never been a game between Italy and Albania, so this is a great opportunity for us to continue our growth process against a great opponent,” Cana told Sky Sport Italia.
“When we heard the game would be played to raise funds for the people of Genoa, we were happy. We hope that it can be an entertaining match and a wonderful festival of football with many Albanians there to support us.”
In fact, it’s reported that 10,000 of the 17,500 tickets sold so far have gone to Albanian fans.
The squad has several players who are in Serie A, including Empoli” data-scaytid=”6″>Empoli defender Elseid Hysaj and Lazio goalkeeper Etrit Berisha, while their Coach is Italian Gianni De Biasi.
“We started our journey with De Biasi two years ago, but are progressing so well,” continued Cana.
“We achieved great results and want to make history for the Albanian people.”
While Albania hit the headlines for defeating Portugal in a Euro 2016 qualifier, they were also involved in ugly scenes during an abandoned match in Serbia.
Someone flew a drone over the stadium with a politically-sensitive flag, sparking brawls on and off the field.
“These are things that should never happen in football and we were only saved from real harm thanks to some Serbian players. Without their help, it would’ve been much more difficult to reach the locker room.
“We were in the stands at San Siro last night for Italy-Croatia. It was great to see the stadium so full, but we were really disappointed by the attitude of the Croatian fans. A small group of them went too far and I hope we won’t see those scenes again.”
The game was suspended for 10 minutes when visiting supporters threw dozens of flares on to the pitch.
Probable line-ups
Italy: Perin; De Silvestri, Bonucci, Moretti, Antonelli; Cerci, Parolo, Sturaro, Bonaventura; Giovinco, Destro
Italy bench: Sirigu, Rugani, Acerbi, Rossettini, Criscito, Aquilani, Bertolacci, Poli, Gabbiadini, Okaka, Matri
Albania: Berisha; Hysaj, Cana, Mavraj, Agolli; Lila, Abrashi, Kukeli, Memushaj, Lenjani; Cikalleshi
Albania bench: Frasheri, Shehi, Curri, Bulku, Kapllani, Rama, Vila, Shala, Salihi, Balaj, Vajushi, Ajeti