Gianni De Biasi reveals he brought an Italian approach to Albania and thought Adnan Januzaj was “rude.”
Former Brescia boss De Biasi is the current Coach of Albania and achieved a huge result when beating Portugal 1-0 away from home in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
Gianni De Biasi reveals he brought an Italian approach to Albania and thought Adnan Januzaj was “rude.”
Former Brescia boss De Biasi is the current Coach of Albania and achieved a huge result when beating Portugal 1-0 away from home in a Euro 2016 qualifier.
“Portugal were without Cristiano Ronaldo and were emotionally down after the World cup, but we played the perfect game in defence,” De Biasi told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“We are not a Cinderella side any more, as we have improved a great deal. I continue to maintain Serbia, Portugal and Denmark are the favourites for the top three places in our group, but clearly if we were able to beat Denmark then it would open up another door.
“The victory over Portugal pushed us 25 places up the FIFA world rankings.”
Albania will play against Italy in next month’s friendly at the Stadio Tardini in Parma.
“We have 500 fans who come to the stadium wherever we play and I expect many in Parma too. I walk the line between self-confidence and arrogance. I am Italian, after all, so I know how to make do with what I have.”
De Biasi could’ve had Manchester United starlet Januzaj in his squad, as the teenager was eligible to play for Albania, Serbia, Turkey, Kosovo or even England.
In the end, Januzaj chose Belgium, infuriating some people in Kosovo who felt he was turning his back on them.
“I bombarded his father with text messages in three different languages, but he never replied even once,” revealed De Biasi.
“I can understand his decision to choose Belgium, but there’s no need to be rude.”