Milan face Shkendija in the play-off round of the Europa League tonight, so what do we know about their opponents?
As the Rossoneri look to reach the Group Stage, Football Italia spoke to a Macedonian football expert about tonight’s opponents.
Words: Aleksandar Zlateski (@MacedonianFooty)
Who are Shkendija?
Shkendija play in Macedonia, but their fans are ethnic Albanian. Their website is in the Albanian language, most of their players and coaches are ethnic Albanians, as is the ownership.
Milan face Shkendija in the play-off round of the Europa League tonight, so what do we know about their opponents?
As the Rossoneri look to reach the Group Stage, Football Italia spoke to a Macedonian football expert about tonight’s opponents.
Words: Aleksandar Zlateski (@MacedonianFooty)
Who are Shkendija?
Shkendija play in Macedonia, but their fans are ethnic Albanian. Their website is in the Albanian language, most of their players and coaches are ethnic Albanians, as is the ownership.
As a result, most Macedonians don’t feel attached to Shkendija since they are supported by the ethnic Albanians who live in our country.
Shkendija saw their fortunes turn for the better once Lazim Destani of the company Ecolog bought the club several years ago. Before that, Shkendija lacked stable finances, and moved back and forth between the first and second division. However, after Destani purchased the club, Shkendija have become one of the best teams in the Macedonian league, together with Vardar.
How do they play?
Shkendija play attacking football. They are the most attacking minded team in our league, by far. However, they would be stupid to play an open game in the first leg at Milan. If they do that, they will lose 4-0 or 5-0.
This is Milan they are playing, not some village club like FK Skopje. For the first leg, they have to defend and rely on counter-attacks. If they somehow escape Italy with a narrow defeat, they will have a chance in the return leg in Skopje.
I believe Shkendija can give Milan a very tough game in Skopje. They have very loud and passionate fans, and they play very well at home. Over the past two summers, they have dominated opponents at home in Europa League qualifiers.
Of course, they have never played a team of Milan’s calibre, but Shkendija are very tough at home and they can give Milan problems if the first leg is close.
Who are the danger men?
Their two best players are midfielder Ferhan Hasani and attacker Besart Ibraimi. These two have no business playing in our domestic league. They are too good, but both players are loyal to Shkendija and have chosen to stay, despite interest from abroad.
These two are also Macedonian internationals, they are legitimate danger men. They can absolutely give Milan problems. Both guys are shifty dribblers and pack a powerful shot, which becomes a factor from open play or from free-kicks. Do not give Shkendija free-kicks from dangerous positions because these two guys will burn you.
On the other end of the spectrum, their defence is not the best. This definitely makes them susceptible to a big beating in the first leg in Italy. How will the defenders respond to the pressure of playing in front of 50,000 or more screaming Milan fans? The club has not invested much in defence as they try to outscore teams in our league.
What’s been the reaction to playing Milan?
Shkendija are excited to face Milan.
They know the odds of advancing are very small, but hosting Milan is a big deal. That does not happen everyday.
Many Shkendija fans are also Milan fans, as the two teams share the same red and black jerseys. The owners wanted an easier opponent, but they will make a lot of money in ticket sales and TV rights. This game should sell out quickly in Macedonia.
Do Shkendija have any chance?
I give Shkendija a 5-10 per cent chance. It all comes down to the first leg.
If they somehow only lose 2-1 – still a longshot, it’s more likely they’ll lose 3-0 – in Italy, they have a shot. Shkendija can beat Milan 1-0 or 2-1 in Skopje in front of 30,000 rowdy fans.
I watched Craiova – Milan in Romania, and it was a very even game. Craiova missed two great chances and Milan were very fortunate to escape there with a 1-0 win.
As a matter of fact, all three Milan goals were actually scored from set pieces against Craiova. Shkendija are not a tall team, so Milan can attack them on set pieces as well and utilise their height advantage.