Albanian National Team Suffers Major Blow Ahead of Nations League Matches
Four Key Players Ruled Out Due to Injury
Tirana, Albania - June 9, 2023
The Albanian national football team has been dealt a significant blow ahead of their upcoming UEFA Nations League matches, with four key players ruled out through injury.
Goalkeeper Etrit Berisha, defender Marash Kumbulla, midfielder Kristal Abazaj, and forward Armando Broja will all miss the matches against Iceland and Israel due to various ailments.
Berisha, who plays for Manchester United, is nursing a knee injury, while Kumbulla (Roma) has a hamstring problem. Abazaj (Grasshopper Club Zürich) is out with an ankle injury, and Broja (Chelsea) has a calf strain.
The injuries are a major setback for Albania, who are looking to build on their impressive performance in the last Nations League campaign, where they finished top of their group.
Coach Edoardo Reja will now have to reshuffle his squad for the upcoming matches, with several uncapped players expected to be called up.
Albania's Remaining Squad
- Goalkeepers: Thomas Strakosha, Gentian Selmani
- Defenders: Ardian Ismajli, Berat Gjimshiti, Eneo Bitri, Enis Gavazaj, Kastriot Dermaku
- Midfielders: Lorenc Trashi, Myrto Uzuni, Nedim Bajrami, Qazim Laci, Taulant Seferi
- Forwards: Sokol Cikalleshi, Betim Fazliji, Ernest Muçi, Jurgen Celhaka
Albania will face Iceland in Reykjavik on June 10 and Israel in Elbasan on June 13.
