Our prediction for this match:
Air Albania Stadium will host Tuesday’s friendly between Albania and Georgia. The Black Eagles aim to bounce back from a 2-1 loss to Spain, and they are likely to fight tooth and nail against Georgia. Forward Myrto Uzuni is widely expected to return to the starting XI after scoring as a substitute against La Roja, with all Ramadani, Manaj, and Asllani pushing for a start as well. The Georgians, on the other hand, aim to build on a hard-fought 1-0 win over Bosnia & Herzegovina.
Since the former Soviet Republic looked solid at the back in Zenica, we are tempted to put our money on under 2.5 goals this time out. You should know that under 2.5 goals have been netted in each of Georgia’s last three games in all competitions. Keep in mind, though, that the two sides played out a 2-2 draw in their last meeting on the international stage.
Highlighted Player (Elseid Hysaj):
Born on 2nd February 1994, Elseid Hysaj is an Albanian defender who has spent his entire professional career in Italian Serie A and he is predicted a bright future in the game. Empoli scouts spotted his talent while he was playing for Shodra youth sides, and after three years in the youth team, the full-back was promoted to the first team set up.
Hysaj performed really well in his first three years as a first team regular, helping the Azzurri gain promotion to the top fight in the process. One season in Serie A proved enough for the right-sided defender to secure a big club move as he joined Napoli in the summer of 2015 and immediately nailed down a regular starting berth.
Capable of doing dirty defensive work as well as making forward runs, Hysaj is a modern full-back, who is destined for big things. The talented footballer is already a key member of the Albania national team and he will represent the country at the Euro 2016 finals.
Highlighted Team (Georgia):
Georgia are yet another former Soviet republic who have been competing as an independent country since 1990. The Georgians had their international debut on May 27, 1990, with the team sharing the spoils with Lithuania in Tbilisi.
Georgia have been struggling in the qualifiers for both FIFA World Cup and the European Championship ever since they played their first qualifying game and they have yet to book their place at the finals of the major tournaments. The Georgian national football team recorded their biggest win on March 30, 1997, with the team hammering Armenia in front of home fans, but they were demolished by Denmark (1-6) eight years later and that is considered the team’s biggest loss.
The Likes of Kakha Kaladze and Shota Arveladze are considered Georgia’s most famous players. Kakha Kaladze played for Georgia from 1996 to 2011, scoring one goal in 83 appearances for the national team. The left-footed defender won two Champions League titles with Serie A giants AC Milan (2003, 2007).