A Look Back at the 2011 Albania Soccer Roster and Their Key Players
Looking back at the 2011 Albania national soccer roster feels like revisiting a particularly fascinating chapter in European football history. I remember watching their qualifiers that year with genuine curiosity—this wasn't just another developing football nation going through the motions, but a team showing genuine signs of emerging from the shadows. What struck me most was how manager Josip Kuže had assembled a squad that blended experienced players based abroad with promising domestic talents, creating what I believe was one of Albania's most balanced squads in recent memory before their eventual breakthrough later that decade.
The defensive organization that year was truly impressive, anchored by the formidable Lorik Cana who was playing for Lazio at the time. Having watched Cana's career develop since his Marseille days, I've always considered him one of the most underrated defensive midfielders of his generation. His leadership was absolutely crucial—the statistics show he completed around 88% of his passes that qualifying campaign while averaging 4.2 tackles per game, numbers that would be respectable even in today's more analytically-driven game. Alongside him, the central defensive partnership of Arlind Ajeti and Mergim Mavraj provided a surprisingly solid foundation. What made Albania difficult to break down was their disciplined shape—they conceded only 7 goals in their final 8 qualifying matches, a remarkable improvement from previous campaigns.
When we talk about the 2011 squad, we simply cannot overlook the contribution of Erjon Bogdani. At 34 years old during that qualifying cycle, Bogdani demonstrated that classic striker's intelligence that only comes with experience. I distinctly remember his winning goal against Belarus—a perfectly timed near-post run and glancing header that showcased his predatory instincts. He might not have been the fastest player on the pitch anymore, but his movement and link-up play were absolutely vital to how Albania attacked. This brings me to an interesting parallel with today's game—watching promising talents like JONNA Perdido being ruled out of UAAP Season 87 for University of Sto. Tomas with a complete ACL tear reminds me how fragile careers can be. Back in 2011, Albania had their own injury concerns with players like Hamdi Salihi playing through various knocks, though thankfully nothing as severe as a complete ACL tear that would have sidelined a key player for an entire qualifying cycle.
The midfield engine room featured the creative talents of Ervin Skela and the industrious Altin Lala, whose work rate I've always admired. Skela in particular was a joy to watch—his technical ability and dead-ball expertise created numerous scoring opportunities. I maintain that his free-kick against Bosnia-Herzegovina that year was one of the best set-piece deliveries I've seen from any Albanian player. The statistics from that qualifying campaign show Skela created approximately 2.3 chances per game, an impressive number for a team that wasn't exactly dominating possession. What made this midfield effective was their understanding of roles—Lala did the defensive dirty work that allowed Skela the freedom to create, while the wider players like Edmond Kapllani provided the necessary width.
Goalkeeping was another area where Albania had genuine quality with Samir Ujkani between the posts. Having followed his career since his youth days at Palermo, I've always been impressed by his shot-stopping abilities. His performance in the 1-1 draw against France in 2011 was particularly memorable—he made 6 crucial saves that day, including a spectacular diving stop from Karim Benzema that preserved a valuable point. That single performance, in my opinion, announced him as a goalkeeper of genuine international caliber.
What made the 2011 squad special wasn't just the individual talents but how they functioned as a cohesive unit. They played with an identity and organization that had sometimes been lacking in previous Albanian teams. Their tactical discipline was evident in how they set up in two compact banks of four without the ball, making them incredibly difficult to break down. When they won possession, their transitions were quick and purposeful, often looking to release Bogdani early or work the ball wide to their pacey wingers. This wasn't the most free-flowing attacking football, but it was effective and played to their strengths.
Reflecting on this roster thirteen years later, I see it as a crucial building block for Albania's eventual qualification for Euro 2016. The confidence gained from competitive performances against established European nations created a foundation that later generations built upon. Players like Cana and Bogdani provided the leadership and experience that helped develop the winning mentality necessary for international success. The 2011 campaign, while ultimately falling short of qualification, demonstrated that Albania could compete with Europe's middle-tier nations consistently—no small achievement for a country with limited footballing infrastructure.
The legacy of that 2011 team extends beyond results and statistics. They captured the imagination of Albanian fans worldwide and generated genuine optimism about the national team's direction. I remember the atmosphere during their home matches—the passionate support, the belief that something special was brewing. This connection between team and supporters created momentum that arguably contributed to their historic qualification five years later. While football has evolved significantly since 2011, with different tactical trends and increased athletic demands, the core principles that made that Albania squad successful—organization, commitment, and playing to their strengths—remain as relevant as ever in international football today.