Stojkovic "ignites" the challenge: We know Albania well, they can't surprise us

2025-10-10 15:04:00, Sport CNA

Stojkovic "ignites" the challenge: We know Albania well, they

Serbia coach Dragan Stojkovic spoke at a press conference ahead of the match against Albania in Leskovac. He said he expects a difficult match against a good team, but is optimistic about victory.

Stojkovic stressed that the players must be calm and focused, while confirming that Mitrovic will be the starter after returning to form. As for the goalkeepers, Petrovic will start the match as the starter, while Rajkovic remains an important part of the group. The coach also commented on the whistles directed at him in the last match, calling them unsportsmanlike and irrelevant to the team's preparation.

According to him, Albania cannot surprise Serbia with its formation, as it knows the red and blacks' playing system well.

"First of all, we have a difficult match, Albania. A good team and we expect to win. This is one of the most important matches in terms of placing in our group. We know the importance and that's how we prepare for the match. It's important for the players to be calm, focused. We are waiting for the match ready to give our best. We are happy to be back in Leskovac, I think the conditions will be excellent.

The boos? How much will it help me. It is important that we win the match, and then maybe I will be the hero of the nation. Those boos that happened, in my opinion, are not for sports. They have a political connotation, which I do not care about. I was surprised. Everything turned out to be meaningless, but in the end it does not matter. We are thinking about how to win the match tomorrow. The fans come to cheer for Serbia, to show love for the nation and the boys. We will try to be calm.

The atmosphere there was, as the Argentines say, it was good to play even though someone interpreted it in a negative way. We rose from that situation. There was no tension visible on our part, we were focused, we controlled the game. We gave them a penalty because of us, they didn't deserve it. That was an integral part of the game, Petrovic saved us there. For everything else, we were on the same level. This game is not the same because now they are guests. They don't have the support from the stands. And we as hosts want to show our quality by playing a competitive game. I think we will win, but we have to be patient. I have no doubt that the players will give everything they can at that moment.

Albania cannot surprise us in terms of the starting lineup, we know the two changes they will have, but I don't believe they will change anything in this aspect. There will be rotation due to injuries, but they will not change anything in the system. They will play with four on the defensive line, that's for sure.

"When it's so important, everyone wants to show the quality they have and for that quality to be an advantage. Football is a game and you can't guess what can happen. God forbid a red card, then everything collapses. We will do everything to present Serbia properly," the Serbian coach said at a press conference.