Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Romania go into this final Group A encounter with Albania knowing that their fate lies elsewhere. All they can do is aim to win their final group game and hope that hosts France do them a favour
Bogdan Stancu’s two goals from the spot has only been rewarded with a solitary point so far. It was heartbreak against the French on the opening night after Dimitri Payet’s late winner, while they were pegged back on Wednesday against Switzerland thanks to Admir Mehmedi’s spectacular strike
They know that a win for them this evening would see them on four points, they would then hope that Switzerland lose in their game against France where it would then all boil down to goal difference as to who would get the group runners spot
Third place could still be enough to qualify but whoever finishes in that position will have an anxious wait until Wednesday to find out if they are one of the 4 best 3rd place finishers
As for Albania they need a win and even then that would only see them into 3rd place were they would await the same fate as the scenario above and with just 3 points it would be an even nervier wait
They were moments away to holding France to a draw on Wednesday night only for Antoine Griezmann to break their hearts in the 89th minute, their resolve was truly broken once Dimitri Payet made it 2-0 in what was a scoreline that was harsh on the Albanians. They welcome back Captain Lorik Cana from suspension and he will be expected to slot back into the side.
Unfortunately for Albania I think they are going to end up with no points from this tournament but that’s not to say they have disgraced themselves in their debut offering at a major tournament. I think Romania will win this and also subsequently sneak into second in the group, which I have more than a vested interest in as I will be watching those runners up in St Etienne next Saturday. I cannot wait to join this festival of Football.
