Six defeats from six. That was surely a disappointment to manager Shyqyri Rreli and his staff, even if they had faced some stiff competition. They’d lost by a one goal margin in three of their games, and at home they had given an optimistic account of themselves and had proved tough to beat. Yet, no point in return had been poor.

There had been consistency in team selection, with no less than ten players starting four games or more. Albania had played with five at the back throughout, and their libero, Skënder Hodja, had emerged with credit after his performances. The same could be said for fine midfielder Sulejman Demollari and fine defender Artur Lekbello, who perhaps lacked in consistency, but certainly showed in glimpses that he had ability. Demollari, by the way, had been unfortunate in having a perfectly executed goal at Wembley taken away from him during their 5-0 loss, easily their biggest of the qualification. Eccentric goalkeeper Halim Mersimi played four matches and was top ranked Albanian in our player ratings.

25 players had been in use altogether, though nine of these would only get one appearance. Albania were a little naïve in their approach, and some players did not always seem to have appetite for a battle. Yet, they clearly have some talented footballers in their ranks, so despite the fact that they lost each and every game in the Italia ’90 qualification, all’s not doom and gloom.