Sylvinho: Tomorrow we play for victory, enjoy this fight

On the eve of the friendly challenge against Gjilbraltar, which the National will play tomorrow at the “Europa Point” at 6 a.m., coach Silvio and defender Maras Cubula appeared at an official news conference.

Coach Silvio said the team is fully prepared for tomorrow's match to get a positive result. He also spoke of the departure of Adrian Bajram from the National, the lack and new approaches to the team, such as Shpend, Kacuri and Cokaj.

Team status? We know we're gonna play against Latvia at home. We have to prepare very well for that fight. Latvia is a very strong team. It's a physical team, well organized. About the question you asked Maras that we suffered in defense of the first fight, I mean we suffered as a team in the first part. We're getting ready, it's a hard fight ahead. When we have players missing, it makes it harder, but that's what it's like in the National. I've worked for Brazil for three to four years and it happens to everyone. You must prepare and have good options. We are very happy with our players and we will do our best.

Adrian Bajrami? We've filled out the big list of players since August 17th, and during these two weeks we haven't had any answers from the clubs of each player. After the press conference on the 29th, when we published the list, there was no change. Then one day later, I was called from the Federation and told that Adrian Bajrami has chosen to represent the National of Switzerland. I talked to him about 30 minutes on the phone. I don't have much to say, this is a situation that happens around the world. Even while I was in the National of Brazil, there were two-three players who were between Brazil and Italy. That's the truth. I wish all the best and very lucky player.

Will you play with the same players who will probably play against Latvia?When you work on a national team, it happens that you prepare for 23-24 players and then you can expect one or some players to get hurt. I'm happy with the players who came: Katurri, Chokay, Shpendi. I see that as soon as they're here, they've come to truly enjoy the national and feel proud and happy to play with us. I mean, there's two different fights, a friendly match, and then an important match for results. I've already said I don't believe in friendly fights, because every fight has to be prepared for good results and for victory. We need to do our best in this case, to prepare well. It's an important fight and we're gonna have to work hard on it. I'm thinking about all the players I have and not about the players I'm playing with. After tomorrow's match, we'll start thinking about Latvia's 11th. Today came the goalkeeper Simon, who will replace Elhan Kastrat. He had a physical problem, we knew but we wanted to test it. It became part of the team, we held a drill, but he wasn't 100% of it. We invited Simon, who I trust so much. Simon was also part of the wonderful European experience last year.

The status of Armando Broya? Bro's fine, no problem. He knows he has to play as much as possible. He's a new player and he's gotta be in the field all the time. To help the team gain experience. He's transferred to a new team. It's within the same state, but of course it's a new life, a new club, new methodology game. He played another 64 minutes. He too knows that this is not his maximum, but it is certainly constantly improving and feeling good. He has participated in any training normally. He's in an optimum condition.

Pressure to fight Latvia? It's a very important fight. We're not worried about the pressure, so are the players. The truth is, it's a decisive battle with Latvia. But the most important thing is to prepare the fight. You gotta handle it, play it right, do your best, plus we don't have another chance. The players know, we know. We're used to playing under pressure, I repeat that even players don't have problems. We understand how important the next fight is.

You helped Bajram when he was injured in Benfia. Do you feel guilty about removing Bajram from the National? No, I don't feel guilty. I always try my best for the team and the team. I have a very good staff that I work with constantly for players. Two years ago, I remember, it's an interesting experience. I a Brazilian, speaking in Portuguese with an Albanian. At the time, he had little problem. He didn't play much Benfia. We've been trying to support and unite the nation at certain moments, recently in June. We have even talked about tactical elements with Bajram, but these remain private. After his decision, I spoke on the phone for 30 minutes. It remains private. I've experienced this before even when I was part of Brazil. I wish the player's success, but I don't feel guilty.

Fight with Gibraltar, what's the point? We work together in the Federation. I spend a lot of time there. We've been discussing the potential opponent for about four months in this friendly fight. But surely the last word belongs to the president, who has certainly helped us a lot. Everything was fine. It's hard to prepare for a friendly match when a few days later you'll be playing a formal game. But in this case we've had a small benefit, because we have two more days to recover after the friendly match. We're so happy. Football must be enjoyed, every match and every challenge is difficult. I don't believe in friendly fights, because in each match, the outcome matters. In the field you always have to do your best.

A negative result in the match against Gibraltar, will it reflect on the challenge with Latvia? Like I said before, so I don't believe in friendly fights because in 90 minutes you have to play, perform well and it matters the outcome and give you the best. I don't think something that's right in a game is going to affect the next fight because I expect a lot of my players. There are also young players I want to see, because they haven't played with us for many minutes. Why not, personally but also part of the team. I want them to enjoy it and give the best they can and why not see another opportunity that, depending on the performance, someone will be entitled to the Latvia game. We didn't set up the 11th of Latvia. It's a tough fight, but a good opportunity for everyone to do their best. Players enjoy the game.