TIRANA, Sept 27 /ATA/ The Red‑and‑Black national team triumphed 2–0 in their opening UEFA Nations League Group I fixture against Belarus. A crowd of 18,150 supporters relished the occasion as Albania, under the official debut of Italian manager Rolando Maran, delivered a composed and assured performance.
After a brighter start from the visitors, who enjoyed 60 per cent possession to Albania’s 40, the Red‑and‑Blacks gradually seized control of the game. Following several chances, Kristjan Asllani broke the deadlock in the 34th minute, converting a penalty won by captain Berat Djimshiti.
In the 36th minute Rey Manaj broke free into a golden opportunity but failed to strike cleanly at the decisive moment. Albania’s second goal arrived just after the interval, when Ernest Muçi found the net in the 46th minute following a precise assist from Elseid Hysaj. The second half was one‑way traffic, with the Red‑and‑Blacks in complete control as the visitors focused solely on damage limitation.
Despite manager Rolando Maran making several substitutions to freshen the team, the scoreline remained unchanged, with Albania unable to add to their tally despite creating numerous chances. The national team nonetheless claimed a convincing victory, both in performance and result, which might well have been more emphatic.
Three days later, on 29 September, the Red‑and‑Black national side team to San Marino for their next UEFA Nations League Group I fixture.
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