Skenderbeu – Debrecen 17.07.2012

Skenderbeu is a club which is inverting in his team in the last seasons, trying to get some supremacy in the Albanian league. Thanks to his budget they could get some of the best Albanian league players.

They have a Czech coach, Stanisav Levi and so far they played six friendly games to prepare this clash against Debrecen. In those friendly games played in Austria they got a 1-2-3 record. Maybe due to already have a strong side to the Albanian league, they only bought one player so far. Vucaj, former Laci player, keeping the main players that won the league last season.

To this game Skenderbeu will miss their Captain Shkembi. He is the the most important player of the team. I can say he is the playmaker of the team and without him the team lacks creativity and organization in his midfield.
Skenderbeu is also a weak team in attack, being the veteran Xhafaj, 35 year old, the main reference. Last season he scored ten goals and the tendency is to worse that number this season. The defensive line is the best sector of the team, but when facing European teams they have lack of quality and for sure they will feel problems facing Debrecen. The midfield will miss their captain and the attack has not level to worry the visitors.

Debrecen lost the Hungarian SuperCup against Videoton. They signed Ibrahima Sidibé, a decent striker from the Belgium league. He is a good player and Debrecen has good values in his team. Anyway, Sidibe will fail this first leg due to suspension, but i don’t think he will be a big absence. Much more important will be the absence of Bouadla, due to injury. Bouadla is a key midfielder and the team will feel his absence.
Comparing the level of the two leagues, i would say that Debrecen is big favorite to this game. Debrecen will approach this game carefully. They have a good defense and they won’t be too much pressured in this game. I don’t think they will concede any goal in this game, trying to score a away goal to seal the qualification in the second leg should be his main target.

Debrecen won the Hungarian league with easy and they are much better side than this Skenderbeu, the best Albanian side, but far to reach the Hungarian level.