Murati torn as Albania meet France
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
Article summary
A player for Paris Saint-Germain and Lille in the past, Albania staff member Edvin Murati's loyalties will be stretched when his side take on France; "it's between my two countries," he said.
Article top media content
Article body
A popular player for Paris Saint-Germain and LOSC Lille in the 1990s and early 2000s, Edvin Murati is providing another French connection for Albania at UEFA EURO 2016. A consultant for national team coach Gianni De Biasi, he admits he will feel his heartstrings tug when his side meet Les Bleus in Marseille on Wednesday.
EURO2016.com: How have the players recovered from the 1-0 Group A loss to Switzerland?
Edvin Murati: The team are fine, even if we played with ten men and lost that first game. The players gave it their all. It is not every day we get to play at a EURO in France. The team came without a huge amount of emotional baggage – just happiness.
EURO2016.com: Will playing the hosts in Marseille be something special?
Murati: France v Albania is the icing on the cake. We saw three-quarters of the stadium wearing Albania shirts against Switzerland, and there will be lots more in Marseille. It's a shame Lorik Cana will be suspended; he has had a great career but he now misses a game you would not want to miss. He plays with heart. We're all with him – he is highly respected. He's our leader, an icon.
EURO2016.com: What are your team's ambitions?
Murati: We have nothing to lose – the pressure is on France. We achieved our main goal by qualifying for the finals. The players have to be free, have fun and give people a great impression of Albania. At the Vélodrome I hope we have the first 20 minutes, because after that, when they get going, Kingsley Coman, Anthony Martial, those Dimitri Payet free-kicks ... France are full of danger!
EURO2016.com: You have been in France for about 20 years; that must make it a big fixture for you?
Murati: Oh yes, it is between my two countries. France opened its arms to me – I love it. On the other hand, there is my mother country. When I hear La Marseillaise, it'll be something very powerful. At home I have one son who sings La Marseillaise and another that sings the Albanian anthem. My brother also sang La Marseillaise. It will be a match full of emotion. And then whatever happens, count on us to party!