Legendary national goalkeeper Strakosha talks about the future of his son, Albania

The photo Strakosa reveals Thomas' secrets. In an interview for “Cerrie Dello Sport”, the legend of the Albanian gate says his son is better and will make a great career. Strakosha chooses the match with Greece as the most beautiful in her career and warns Italy that she will find it difficult in Shkodra.

Hello, Foto Strakosha, your son told us that he decided to become a 4-year-old goalkeeper because he imitated his father, the legend of Albania. What about the father when he realized that his son would become a goalkeeper to play at the A's and Nationals?

When I was 15, I realized that Thomas had the golden opportunity to become a strong goalkeeper and play at high levels. I saw it above all because of his desire to get to the top of the profession that he showed at that age. He wanted to go to bed to sleep very quickly, eat well, and pay close attention to details. From these points, I realized that he could make his dreams come true.

How many times a week do you talk to him on the phone and what's the report with a football guy? You talk about sports a lot?

For three months we've been in Rome and we've joined Thomas to live together. We talk about football a lot, but we talk about a lot of other things. I advise my son for life, as does any other father to his son.

How do you experience Thomas' games? You see them on TV? Do you do the cold analysis or get excited by it?

I was a doorkeeper and I know exactly what it means to play that role. You have a lot of responsibility and I get so stressed when I watch it play. Of course I'm excited to see him, but I want to stay calm and cold to answer as a coach after the games. I have to tell him the mistakes and things he did well to improve.

What is one characteristic that you insist on transmitting to Thomas?

What I've always wanted to broadcast with my wife was and continues to be respect. He should respect people and help those in need. In football, I always tell him to stand on the ground, work hard and never enjoy what he's done to this day. He should look forward and do better. As a doorkeeper, I advise him to stay focused and never give up, just like after a mistake and after a good reception.

What are the technical aspects where Thomas can improve even more? What about character?

Thomas can and should be improved in all aspects, because in sports you can always learn new things day after day, but I am calm because in this field it is in the safe hands of a goalkeeper like Adalberto Grridge. In terms of character, that's good. I like it.

Thomas is good at the game with his feet. When he was a kid, did you think of act like a player rather than a doorman?

When Thomas was a kid, I advised him to play another role, not a goalkeeper. I didn't want him to be at the gate because there's a lot of responsibility in this role.

Are you still working with the Olympian team?

No. I don't work at Olympiacos anymore because I'm living in Rome with my family and Thomas.

In 1999, you happened to face the Lacion Cup Cups when you were the goalkeeper of Panionios. What memories do you have of those fights?

I don't remember any particular episode, but in my thinking comes the quality and strength that that team had, which then won everything. It was different. I also remember Lacio's crazy and fantastic fans.

You were captain and legend of Albania. What's the best fight in your career?

The most beautiful and difficult match in my career has been that of September 2004 against Greece, which came to Albania as European champion. It was one of the most exciting matches at the time, even for both fans. It was nice because we won and I remember it as a never-ending emotion.

Thomas is gonna be stronger than the picture?

Thomas says he needs to use the bar “to reach my levels. It's about training, sacrifice, the desire to play many fights. He doesn't want to be compared to me. I would say that at his age I wasn't at these levels. He's too young and he's made a lot of progress. Lazio is a big team, a big company. I'm not talking about my entire career, but my son's way ahead of me. I was not at this high level at the age of 22.

What did you try at his national debut?

Seeing her debut in the Nationals was a beautiful and unique emotion for me. Because for 15 years I've kept Albania's lantern. At that moment I was very emotional, especially in his first match. I can't describe it.

How will the Albania-Italy match go?

It is the first time Albania has played an Eliminator with Italy and will be a great emotion for Albanian players as well. It will be a special atmosphere in Albania, but it will be difficult for Italy. Our team has a lot of players playing in Italy and they're going to give 110% to win this match. I can't make a prediction, but I'm sure Albania will make life difficult on Italy.

How did you feel when Thomas left Athens in 2012 to go to Lazio and meet Tara?

To let her leave at 16 was not easy for me. It was a difficult decision that we all made, but it was for his own good, for the future, and for the fact that he wanted to become a sport. It was the only thing in his mind that we could not refuse to accept his desire to leave. The fact that we chose Lacion and didn't consider any other teams was the presence of Igli Tares. He explained the project and we believed this club was the right club.

Thomas has Buphon and Noyer as his models. For the photograph, who's the best goalkeeper in the world?

To me, they're both very good gatekeepers. The first is Buffon, his career and what he's doing. There are very few gatekeepers with his quality between the two pillars. The second to me is De Gea because he's a modern goalkeeper and he plays well on foot and he's acting very well. It's also one of those goalkeepers who gives his team a lot of points.

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